Sunday began with the Indiana Pacers on the verge of their first NBA championship, just one win away. By the end of the day, that dream felt much more distant. Their Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder wasn`t their only setback. They also lost Tyrese Haliburton, their 25-year-old cornerstone whose unique style of play is vital to the team`s success. A lower leg injury suffered during the game was later confirmed on Monday as a torn Achilles.
For an Achilles tear, the most optimistic outcome is missing the entire next season. The outlook can worsen significantly, as this type of injury has the potential to derail careers. Given that speed is fundamental to Haliburton`s effectiveness, there`s uncertainty about the level of play he`ll return to. This injury immediately dashed the Pacers` hopes for a 2025 championship. They will likely be out of contention in 2026 too without him, and his future beyond that is unclear. Occurring in the very last game of the season, it`s difficult to recall many NBA injuries throughout history that were quite this devastating.
Furthermore, few injuries could be considered more consequential. Indiana has a very young roster with potential yet to be fully realized. They were just defeated by a Thunder team aspiring to establish a dynasty. Haliburton`s injury could significantly and permanently change OKC`s path forward. The Eastern Conference was already perceived as wide open following another Achilles injury to Jayson Tatum in the second round against the New York Knicks. This specific injury creates ripple effects that will be felt across the entire NBA.
Let`s examine the potential consequences, starting with the Pacers and then expanding to the broader NBA landscape.
What`s Next for the Indiana Pacers?
Earlier in the week, the Pacers completed a trade that initially appeared minor. They sent their 2025 first-round selection (23rd overall) to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for their own 2026 first-round pick, which had been previously traded to the Pelicans as part of the Pascal Siakam deal and then moved to New Orleans in the Brandon Ingram trade. This transaction was likely intended to reduce tax expenses for the upcoming season and avoid the Stepien Rule restrictions should the team need to trade significant draft assets later.
However, in light of recent events, this trade now appears crucial. The Pacers retain control of their first-round pick in a season where they will likely be without their star player. This doesn`t necessarily mean the team will intentionally tank; the Pacers have a historical aversion to doing so, having missed the playoffs only nine times in the last 37 seasons. Nonetheless, Haliburton`s injury has drastically altered their immediate and long-term prospects. While they might not be a bad team, they are no longer viewed as championship contenders. Especially in a league where the Play-In Tournament has recently produced consecutive lottery winners, holding onto their pick seems quite valuable. The exact value will hinge on future roster decisions.
Immediate questions arise concerning impending free agent Myles Turner. Reports indicated the Pacers were prepared to exceed the luxury tax threshold to keep him – a significant step for a franchise that hasn`t paid the tax in two decades and has been known for its financial prudence. Even crossing the tax line without the stricter apron penalties represents a major commitment for this market. They may have anticipated deep playoff revenue helping to cover the increased costs. Haliburton`s injury makes it plausible that Indiana might reconsider its stance on retaining Turner at that price.
This doesn`t automatically mean Turner will depart. The Brooklyn Nets are currently the only team with significant cap space to pursue him, unless the Detroit Pistons, rumored to be interested, manage to create room. It`s more probable that the Pacers would attempt to retain Turner by offloading another salary, a move that could still compromise their on-court aspirations.
The Pacers have a roster where every paid player contributes positively. Trading someone like Obi Toppin after his strong playoff performance seems unlikely. If there were a *hypothetically* logical player to move from a financial perspective (though not a basketball one), it might be playoff standout T.J. McConnell. He`s just finished his age-33 season and will be 35 when Haliburton is expected back. Another team would likely offer valuable draft assets for him this offseason, and he`s a good fit for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. While trading such a valuable and popular player purely for cost savings would be criticized as greedy, it`s a possibility that can`t be completely dismissed.
Regardless of budget concerns, the Pacers must evaluate their guard situation. They still have McConnell, though he typically plays limited minutes. Andrew Nembhard is secured on a team-friendly extension, and Bennedict Mathurin is likely to see an increased role. He is expected to begin next season alongside Nembhard in the backcourt and is conveniently eligible for a rookie extension. The Pacers have a history of signing young players early when feasible, and securing Mathurin before a potential breakout season with higher usage is a priority.
However, this trio will likely be insufficient for the entire season, particularly given Indiana`s famously fast pace. The Pacers will need to acquire another guard. Their potential spending power is notable because, as mentioned, their current roster consists of effective players. Trading a valuable frontcourt player simply to compensate for Haliburton short-term wouldn`t be a wise long-term strategy. The basketball-savvy approach would be to utilize the taxpayer mid-level exception on a point guard. Players like Tyus or Tre Jones could serve as capable interim options; they are known for low turnovers and good ball movement, resembling Haliburton in those aspects, although lacking his electrifying transition play or shooting prowess. They represent useful temporary solutions.
If financial constraints limit them to offering only minimum contracts, the situation becomes more challenging. Being in Indiana and no longer immediate title contenders limits their appeal to free agents. Their best hope might be a scenario similar to Gary Trent Jr. last season, where a good player accepts less than market value focusing on playing time and role. Coach Rick Carlisle has a track record of successfully utilizing backup guards, which is perhaps the most compelling selling point the Pacers have currently.
Realistically, their championship aspirations are now paused. The Pacers will likely focus on remaining competitive for a year, and once Haliburton`s return is closer, they can reassess the overall strategy and potential larger changes needed. For the immediate future, the priority will likely be maintaining roster cohesion, securing ownership`s financial commitment to retaining players, and managing the marginal aspects of the team.
How Does This Championship Impact the Thunder?
The concept of an `asterisk championship` is often debated; perhaps a more accurate view is that every championship carries its own unique circumstances or `asterisks.` For example, last postseason, Boston didn`t face a fully healthy opponent in the East, and Denver didn`t play against a 50-win team during their title run. You can find mitigating factors for any championship. The circumstances surrounding the Thunder`s title, frankly, involve fewer such factors than many.
Winning under such conditions, however, comes at a cost beyond fan perception – the loss of clarity. While the Thunder reached the pinnacle, their path wasn`t without flaws. All the weaknesses identified before the playoffs became evident during their run. They lacked a consistent secondary shot creator, their three-point shooting was questionable against strong playoff defenses, and they committed crucial late-game errors, potentially due to their relative inexperience. Although they ultimately overcame these issues, they were vulnerabilities that could have cost them the championship.
It would be inaccurate to claim they overcame these flaws solely because of Haliburton`s injury. We cannot know the outcome had he played the entire game. Moreover, even a loss wouldn`t typically prompt major organizational changes from the Thunder based on a single contest. Yet, there is genuine benefit in a team being tested under severe pressure. Perhaps the Thunder would have gained deeper insights into their capabilities in a tight game against the fully healthy Pacers. It`s possible they missed a learning opportunity due to the specific circumstances of their victory. A similar argument could be made regarding their series against Denver, which saw Aaron Gordon dealing with an injury.
We often treat individual championships as isolated events, but they are not. Each season`s events influence the next, leading to fascinating hypothetical scenarios. Had the Thunder lost at home to a healthy Haliburton, would it have impacted their confidence in future close playoff contests? Are they now better positioned to win going forward having secured their first championship? They are undoubtedly more experienced and will likely begin next season as the favorites.
The initial championship often serves as a foundation. Generally, the core roster remains intact for subsequent seasons. This current group is likely the Thunder`s core moving forward, aside from unavoidable salary adjustments. In a sense, this outcome might be preferable for other teams; nobody wanted to see an aggressive Sam Presti desperately pursuing talent this offseason. The path to their title was unusual due to injuries, but the result aligns with pre-playoff expectations. The Thunder are champions. They have their roster. They possess a genuine opportunity for future titles. It is merely regrettable that this achievement comes with any perceived asterisk, however minor compared to others. We will forever wonder how the Thunder might have performed against a fully healthy opponent in that pivotal game and what lessons they might have learned.
Eastern Conference Implications
Following the second round, the Eastern Conference appeared wide open. Tatum`s injury seemingly limited Boston`s immediate championship window, consequently creating opportunities for other teams. New York reportedly dismissed Tom Thibodeau, concerned about missing the chance opened by Boston`s circumstances. Orlando acquired Desmond Bane via trade. However, as the Finals unfolded and it became evident that Indiana`s success was legitimate, the initial excitement about a wide-open East diminished. It seemed the Pacers had simply stepped into the role previously held by the Celtics.
But now, with the Pacers also sidelined by injury, the Eastern Conference race is wide open again. If any team is currently regretting past decisions, it might be the Phoenix Suns. Would Eastern Conference teams that pursued Kevin Durant have offered more had the Pacers` emergence not seemed so certain? Teams like the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are likely contemplating missed opportunities right now.
Trade activity is far from over, and this development forces numerous teams to re-evaluate their immediate plans. The Philadelphia 76ers hold the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Prior reports suggested they intended to either use the pick or trade down slightly. This strategy was understandable; given the health concerns surrounding Joel Embiid and Paul George, building around Tyrese Maxey`s younger timeline seemed logical. However, the East will likely regain strength by the time a top-three pick fully develops. A path to the NBA Finals appears open *now*. Could the 76ers consider trading their high pick for proven veteran talent? What about the conference`s developing teams? Could the Detroit Pistons make a significant acquisition like Orlando did with Bane? What about the Atlanta Hawks? Is there another star player available that the Heat or Raptors could target?
Broader NBA Takeaways from the Injury
It would be reassuring to suggest that the NBA will implement significant measures to safeguard player health. Statistics show that playoff injuries are occurring at an unprecedented rate. Even before Haliburton`s injury, the league had already seen a record number of Achilles tears in a single season. The game itself is undeniably evolving, becoming more physically taxing than ever before. It imposes demands on human anatomy – muscles and joints – that simply cannot adapt as quickly as the sport itself. Meaningful changes at the league level are likely necessary to tackle this issue.
However, the most apparent solution – reducing the number of games to provide more rest – is unlikely given the substantial financial implications for both owners and players. While such a change would arguably benefit the sport`s long-term health, it conflicts with the immediate financial interests of decision-makers. Consequently, major league-wide structural changes are probably not imminent.
Nevertheless, on a team level, the management of calf injuries should likely face increased scrutiny. It`s worth recalling that Kevin Durant also suffered an Achilles tear in similar circumstances, playing through a calf strain during the NBA Finals. Moving forward, medical teams may need to adopt a more conservative approach with calf issues, protecting players from their own desire to return by keeping them sidelined for significantly longer periods than is currently standard. While players are eager to play, the potential risk associated with rushing back might now outweigh the benefits.
Finally, there are implications for how teams approach roster construction. Consider the numerous reports that teams were hesitant to include their most valuable assets in trades for Kevin Durant. There was a logical rationale for this reluctance: Durant is 37, offering only a short window for championship contention. Why sacrifice premium long-term assets for such a brief opportunity? Perhaps the teams that declined were right. The San Antonio Spurs, with their five titles, certainly understand successful long-term planning.
However, contrast the Pacers` position before the injury with their current state. A single injury was enough to potentially close both their immediate championship window and possibly impact their future prospects. This offers a potential lesson, particularly in the current financial landscape governed by salary cap aprons. Perhaps the idea of a sustainable, multi-year championship window is becoming obsolete, suggesting teams should be far more aggressive in pursuing titles when the opportunity arises. The Thunder could serve as an ideal example; if any team is constructed for long-term success, it`s them. But can they navigate the unpredictable factors like injuries and other unforeseen issues that often disrupt teams aiming for extended runs? The coming years will reveal the answer, but the Pacers` situation serves as a crucial reminder that nothing in the NBA is guaranteed. Seize opportunities when they appear, as they may not come again.
Jasper Hawthorne