The Indiana Pacers made their first appearance in the NBA Finals during the 1999-2000 season, led by hall of famer Reggie Miller. The Pacers faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers, losing the series 4-2.
Fast forward 25 years, it is game seven of the 2025 NBA finals, and All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton has 9 points through the first 7 minutes of the game. Playing through a calf strain, late in the shot clock, Haliburton beat his defender but fell to the ground and did not get up. Haliburton was in tears as he hit the floor, and Pacer Nation held its breath.
Shortly after the game, Haliburton was diagnosed with a right Achilles tear, confirmed by ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania. The Pacers held onto the lead until the third quarter of game seven, but could not prevail as they lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-91.
Haliburton posted on social media after his injury occurred, sharing his message for Pacers fans and the city of Indianapolis.
“I don’t doubt for a second that y’all have my back, and I hope you guys know that I have yours,” said Haliburton. “I will do everything in my power to get back right.”
Pacers fans adore Haliburton, as he is a small-town, midwestern guy who always has a smile on his face, according to his bio. Another reason why fans love him is his clutch shot-making ability. Haliburton was an absurd 13 of 15 (86.7%) in the 2024-25 season on shots to tie or go-ahead in the final two minutes of games, according to Yahoo Sports.
The 2025-26 season will look vastly different for the Pacers due to injuries and the loss of decade-long big man Myles Turner to the rival Milwaukee Bucks. However, it is time to look toward what this season has in store for players and fans.
Fans will be missing out on seeing Haliburton on the court this season due to his Achilles tear. Adding to the hysteria, point guard T.J. McConnell sustained a hamstring injury during this preseason and will miss at least a month, according to the NBA.
While all of this is still disappointing for fans, there is still much hope for the Pacers. New and upcoming players will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities that may not have been seen as much beforehand. Players like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith have made their way up the Pacers ladder, along with players like Bennedict Mathurin, who has already tallied a 31-point game during this preseason, according to ESPN.
Fan favorites such as Pascal Siakam and Johnny Furphy have gained attention from Pacer fans, with Furphy swarming the basketball world with jaw-dropping dunking highlights and Siakam being named the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals MVP. Newly brought in players like Jay Huff and Taelon Peter have also showcased admirable potential for the team. With a non-returning Myles Turner and an injured Tyrese Haliburton, starters for this season consist of Nembhard, Mathurin, Nesmith, Siakam and Isaiah Jackson, according to ESPN.
With a strong starting five and promising talent from bench players, the Indiana Pacers have strong potential to be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers tipped off their season at home on Oct. 23, with a rematch against Oklahoma City Thunder, which won the NBA finals last year. It was a close match with the Pacers falling 141-135 in double overtime.
