Tyrese Haliburton wheeled into WNBA All-Star weekend on a scooter, his right leg suspended in a cast. The sight hit differently for NBA fans who watched him tear his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the Finals just weeks ago. One look at Indiana’s star point guard told the whole story: The road back is going to be long.
Why Does Tyrese Haliburton’s Injury Still Look So Devastating?
The WNBA All-Star weekend is currently taking place in Indianapolis, home to the Indiana Fever and the Pacers. As a result, Haliburton felt compelled to make an appearance despite being unable to walk.
Fans were caught off guard to see Haliburton move around with the support of a miniature scooter, while his right leg was completely covered in a cast and suspended to prevent him from placing any weight on it.
“Get well soon, Tyrese!”
Tyrese Haliburton has arrived for WNBA Friday Night in Indy
(Via @YahooSports)pic.twitter.com/gPA9vePkj9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 19, 2025
The visual drove home just how serious the injury really is. After stunning the basketball community by leading the Indiana Pacers through the Eastern Conference and to the NBA Finals, Haliburton and his squad fell just one win short of securing a championship.
Read More: ‘The Frustration Is Unfathomable’ – Tyrese Haliburton Breaks Down in Emotional Post After Undergoing Surgery for Achilles Injury
He was playing through an injury in the series and ended up sustaining a torn right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the Finals.
What Did The Fans Feel After Seeing Haliburton?
Many fans flooded the comment section of the post, expressing concern. They ranged from sympathetic to concerned.
“Injuries suck man hate to see it,” One fan expressed.
Injuries suck man hate to see it
— CELTICS BANNER 19 (@BiggLynch) July 19, 2025
Another fan wrote, “Maneeeee dat blows”
Maneeeee dat blows
— ceen (@sirceen) July 19, 2025
Some fans claimed that his injury drastically affected the outcome of the 2025 NBA Finals. After all, Haliburton got off to a hot start, scoring nine points in just seven minutes before tearing his Achilles tendon.
One fan wrote, “Everyone knows the Pacers win the championship if he’s healthy!”
Everyone knows the Pacers win the championship if he’s healthy!
— Red Raider Man (@redraiderman1) July 19, 2025
Another fan wrote, “It took THIS and ref’s rigging the Finals for Shai to get a ring ”
It took THIS and ref’s rigging the Finals for Shai to get a ring
— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) July 19, 2025
When the NBA Finals concluded, Haliburton underwent surgery on June 23, 2025, at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Although it has been almost a month since the operation, he does not appear close to walking and still requires assistance moving around.
This is a serious injury, and the recovery process could take up to a year or even longer. Only Haliburton is capable of knowing when he is fully ready to return. Based on a recently viral video, fans have no choice but to accept that he still has a long way to go before making a comeback.
Even if the Pacers make the playoffs in 2025-26, Haliburton is not expected to be on the roster. Since Haliburton is only 25 years old and has yet to officially enter his prime, allowing him to rest for a full year or even longer would be in the Pacers’ long-term best interests.
Hopefully, he is able to successfully complete his rehabilitation and recovery process before returning to his team.
