AFTER all the ups and downs of a basketball season, nothing hurts more for an athlete than this moment. Just one game away from the end, with your dream almost within reach—then suddenly, it all bursts like a balloon.
That’s exactly what Tyrese Haliburton expressed after a crushing Game 7 loss in the Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who clinched their first-ever NBA championship, as he shared in a heartfelt message to the fans.
In an X post on Tuesday (PH Time), the All-Star point guard offered an apology to Indiana supporters for the way the series ended, narrowly missing what could have been a historic first NBA title for their city.
Beyond that, he opened up about the emotional weight the moment carried. Haliburton left Monday’s decisive game early in the first quarter due to a leg injury, which was later diagnosed as a torn right Achilles tendon.
An Absolute Heartbreaker
He immediately underwent successful surgery. Still grappling with the situation, the 25-year-old took to social media to unload his emotions, calling the disappointment “unfathomable.”
“Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense,” he said.
“Now that I’ve gotten surgery, I wish I could count the number of times people will tell me I’m going to “come back stronger”. What a cliche lol, this sh*t sucks. My foot feels like dead weight fam. But what’s hurting most I think is my mind.”
“Feel like I’m rambling, but I know this is something I’ll look back on when I’m through this, as something I’m proud I fought through. It feels good to let this sh*t out without y’all seeing the kid ugly cry,” he added.
No injury can ever truly be viewed as a good thing. Still, considering Haliburton’s youth and the fact that he’s yet to reach his prime, it’s preferable for a serious injury to occur now rather than later in his career.
“At 25, I’ve already learned that God never gives us more than we can handle. I know I’ll come out on the other side of this a better man and a better player,” Haliburton said, trying to look at something positive to hold on to.
“And honestly, right now, torn Achilles and all, I don’t regret it. I’d do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special,” he went on to say.
Come Back Stronger
Haliburton, due to the serious injury he suffered, will miss the entire 2025-2026 NBA Season. Even so, he promised to return even stronger and push his team back to the same position they’ve reached this year.
“Indy, I’m sorry. If any fan base doesn’t deserve this, it’s y’all,” he said. “But together we are going to fight like hell to get back to this very spot, and get over this hurdle.”
Despite the setback, “Hali,” as some basketball fans refer to him, confronts the challenge with confidence, remaining thankful for the lessons he’s gained through it all.
“My journey to get to where I am today wasn’t by happenstance, I’ve pushed myself every day to be great. And I will continue to do just that. The most important part of this all, is that I’m grateful,” he said.
“I’m grateful for every single experience that’s led me here. I’m grateful for all the love from the hoop world. I don’t “have to” go through this, I get to go through this. I’m grateful for the road that lies ahead.”
“Watch how I come back from this. So, give me some time, I’ll dust myself off and get right back to being the best version of Tyrese Haliburton,” he went on to say.
