Tyrese Haliburton collapses with serious injury in NBA Finals Game 7 – LeBron & Mahomes react emotionally!
The 2025 NBA Finals reached its dramatic climax during Game 7 between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 22, a first-ever title-decider in franchise history, when Tyrese Haliburton suffered a painful injury that prompted emotional reactions from LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes.
Early in the game, just minutes into the first quarter, Pacers point guard Haliburton collapsed to the floor in agony, clutching his lower right leg after attempting a drive to the basket.
Tyrese Haliburton forced to leave game 7 after he went down with apparent injury
He was clearly distressed, unable to bear weight on his injured leg, and was escorted off the court by Pacers medical staff members, tears evident – an emotional moment echoing the gravity of Achilles injuries past.
Prior to this crushing moment, Haliburton had been playing admirably through a previously strained right calf, dealing with discomfort since Game 5. Haliburton returned to play Game 6 despite wearing a compression sleeve and continued to contribute – 14 points, five assists, and two steals – before sitting out much of the second half.
The injury in Game 7 happened with 4:55 remaining in the first period, effectively ending his participation in the deciding matchup.
Pacers lose their catalyst
Up until his exit, Haliburton had already hit three of four three-pointers, contributing nine points and energising Indiana’s early performance.
His absence dealt a profound emotional blow: teammates formed a huddle around him, visibly shaken.Though the Pacers held a slender 4847 halftime lead, their star’s loss was a cruel twist in a game where every possession mattered.
This moment drew disturbing parallels to Kevin Durant’s Achilles rupture in the 2019 Finals – another star felled under the championship spotlight.
LeBron and Mahomes’s reactions poured in swiftly and poignantly – revealing the start of a broader conversation about resilience, care, and the athlete’s duty to themselves.
LeBron is no stranger to Finals pressure, and the Lakers icon addressed Haliburton’s situation on X (formerly Twitter), simply exclaiming: F**K!!!!”
LeBron’s simple, yet powerful message gets straight to the point: above the spectacle of championship games, there’s a human being whose health can’t be compromised and all athletes are concerned for each other, no matter what sport they play. Mahomes also joined in on the act, writing: “Prayers up brother”, accompanied by four ‘pray’ emojis.
Pain, pressure and perspective
Haliburton’s injury underscores broader tensions in modern sports: the drive to play hurt versus the long-term toll it takes.
The Pacers point guard competed through a strained leg, echoing the championship ethic many athletes feel compelled to uphold. His repeated comebacks – Game 5 with calf pain, Game 6 heroics, Game 7 collapse – mirror the fine line between bravery and physical cost.
His father confirmed Haliburton had suffered an Achilles/severe lower-leg injury, and he spent the rest of Game 7 on the bench with family by his side. Meanwhile, public reactions – by commentators and fans – varied from sorrow and support to harsh criticism, such as Kendrick Perkins calling the situation “playing scared,” sparking backlash.
LeBron and Mahomes emphasized what truly matters: the welfare of a young athlete, the bond of respect among players, and the reminder that – in the end – titles can wait, but the body’s health is non-negotiable.
