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Tyrese Haliburton couldn’t have envisioned himself returning from Game 7 of the NBA Finals in a wheelchair, but Pacers fans were out in full force to cheer up their star point guard as he returned to Indiana.
Fans made it to Indianapolis International Airport in the wee hours of the night, roaring for Haliburton, who emerged from the team plane in a wheelchair after his devastating Achilles injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s 103-91 Game 7 loss to the Thunder in Oklahoma City.
The fans chanted “Tyrese,” clapped and rang cowbells as Haliburton rolled past, according to video captured by WTHR.
The star was visibly sullen and likely still in pain, but he gave a wave of appreciation to those who turned up in support.
Haliburton got off to a hot start in Game 7, knocking down three early 3-pointers, before he suffered the excruciating Achilles injury partway through the first quarter.
The moment marked a brutal end to a magical run for Haliburton, who has rattled off clutch moment after clutch moment these playoffs.
The Iowa State product hit thrilling game-winners in all four of Indiana’s playoff series.
First was a series-clinching layup in Game 5 of the first round against the Bucks, before a clutch step-back three in Game 2 of the second round against the Cavs, a miraculous shot in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks and a clutch game-winner in Game 1 of the Finals against the Thunder.
Haliburton’s health was in question for the latter part of the Finals after he suffered a right calf strain in Game 5.
But he played through it in Game 6, a blowout Pacers win, and appeared to be playing like his normal self early in Game 7.
What would have happened if Haliburton had remained healthy for all of Game 7 will become a classic NBA what-if, but Pacers fans are clearly putting their heartbreak aside to appreciate all Haliburton has done for the franchise.
Haliburton’s outlook for next season remains unclear, but it can often take between eight to ten months for an athlete to recover from an Achilles injury.
