Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Out With Achilles Injury in NBA Finals Game 7 vs. Thunder

The Indiana Pacers will have to manage the rest of Game 7 without their star.

Tyrese Haliburton went down with a non-contact injury in the first quarter of Sunday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was clearly in pain and was helped to the locker room, unable to put weight on his leg.

The Pacers announced that Haliburton has been ruled out of the game with a lower leg injury. Haliburton's father told ESPN's Lisa Salters that he is dealing with an Achilles injury but is in good spirits and watching from the locker room.

While it's unclear exactly what injury Haliburton suffered on Sunday, he's been dealing with a calf injury since Game 5. He exited Monday's contest with right calf tightness but managed to return to the court. The injury was later revealed to be a strained calf, but he played through the injury in Game 6 and helped Indiana force a Game 7.

He said on Saturday that he was still managing some pain but felt "ready to go" for Sunday's winner-takes-all game.

"I'm pretty much in the same standpoint I was before Game 6, a little stiff, a little sore, rather," Haliburton said. "...Just trying to take care of it the best I can, but I'll be ready to go for Game 7."

Haliburton has had some shaky performances throughout the Finals, but his importance to the Pacers is undeniable. Along with his countless clutch moments this postseason, he fuels the offense and makes contributions even without scoring.

Indiana is capable of hanging with the Thunder without Haliburton, but it won't be easy.

Without Haliburton in Game 7, the Pacers will need the rest of the team to step up. It starts with Eastern Conference Finals MVP Pascal Siakam, but they'll also count on Myles Turner's defense and paint presence, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith's shooting, and T.J. McConnell's spark off the bench.

Haliburton's season ended under unfortunate circumstances, but the Pacers have a chance to close things out strong and help him win his first ring.