Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Says His 'Heart Dropped' for Tyrese Haliburton After Injury

Sunday night was one of celebration for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but one of lament for the Indiana Pacers.

Not only did the Pacers lose Game 7 of the NBA Finals, but star Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury in the first quarter. As Haliburton went down in pain on the court, one of the first players to console him was Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

"You just hate to see it, in sports in general, but in the moment," Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters. "My heart dropped for him. I couldn't imagine playing the biggest game of my life and something like that happening. It's so unfortunate. It's not fair. Competition isn't fair sometimes. I just felt so bad for him... Prayers go out to him for sure. Hell of a player. Future's bright. That team's going to be good for a very long time."

Gilgeous-Alexander had more praise for Haliburton, calling the 25-year-old's future "super bright."

The extent of Haliburton's injury is still unknown, but it was a heartbreaking moment for Indiana as it came up short of its first NBA title. Losing Haliburton for Game 7 was a major blow, and it could get even worse if he has to miss time next season.

Haliburton was in the midst of one of the most miraculous playoff runs in recent memory when he went down with the injury. Along with his 17.7 points and playoff-best nine assists per game, he willed the Pacers to the Finals with a slew of clutch shots. He had game-tying or game-winning shots in the final seconds in all four rounds, including a game-winning shot in Game 1 of the Finals.

He came into Game 7 already battered by injury. He was seen limping after Game 2 and suffered a calf strain in Game 5, but managed to play through it in Game 6 to help Indiana force a Game 7. Even with the injury, he wasn't going to miss the biggest game of his career.

"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."

While Haliburton was absent for most of Game 7 as his team saw its season end in defeat, his run in the 2025 playoffs will be remembered forever.

Now, the road to recovery begins, and he'll look to have his team back in the Finals when he's healthy.