As Tyrese Haliburton writhed on the floor just seven minutes into Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander walked over to his opponent. The Thunder guard knelt beside him, a moment of raw humanity amid one of the biggest games of their careers.
SGA Shows True Class After Haliburton Injury
The injury, later confirmed as a torn Achilles, dealt a crushing blow to Indiana’s hopes. Haliburton, who had already knocked down three triples and looked sharp early, was helped off the floor by teammates as the game paused in disbelief.
Among those who approached him: Gilgeous-Alexander, who didn’t hesitate to console the Pacers star as medical staff rushed in.
“It’s Not Fair”: Gilgeous-Alexander Reacts on SportsCenter
Following the Thunder’s 103–91 championship win, SGA appeared on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt and reflected on the moment with empathy and grace.
“Yeah it was sad,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, via SportsCenter. “I couldn’t imagine playing in the biggest game of my life. Playing for everything I’ve ever dreamed of. The highest stage. Game 7 of the NBA Finals and something unfortunate like that happens. It’s unfair. I feel bad for him. I pray for him. Wish him the best of luck. He’s a hell of a player.”
“His future is super bright. He can do whatever he wants in this league. And they’ll be a really good team for a really long time.”
—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Hali’s Game 7 injury.
@notthefakesvp“My Heart Dropped”: More from SGA
In another interview, Gilgeous-Alexander added:
“You just hate to see it in sports in general,” he said, via Jordan Davis, “but in this moment, my heart dropped for him. I couldn’t imagine playing the biggest game of my life and something like that happening. It’s not fair. But competition isn’t fair sometimes.”
“Just asked if he was OK. Obviously, he wasn’t. Prayers go out to him, for sure.”
“You just hate to see it in sports in general, but in this moment, my heart dropped for him. I couldn’t imagine playing the biggest game of my life and something like that happening. It’s not fair. But competition isn’t fair
Haliburton’s Fairytale Run Ends in Heartbreak
During the 2025 playoffs — the greatest run in Pacers postseason history, and one of the most mathematically improbable in NBA history — Haliburton delivered clutch moments every player dreams of. He hit three game-winners and a game-tying shot across four rounds. He tallied 197 assists, the most by any player in Pacers playoff history, and scored 399 total points — sixth-most overall for Indiana in a single playoff run.
It’s a shame they ended like this.
What a performance.
“He authored one of the great individual playoff runs in the history of the NBA with dramatic play after dramatic play,” head coach Rick Carlisle said, via Pacers.com. “It was just something that no one’s ever seen.”
Aside from his health, which now takes top priority, fans will forever wonder how the outcome might have changed had Haliburton remained on the court. He had started Game 7 shooting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc for nine points in just seven minutes — and looked poised for another signature performance.
Prayers for a speedy recovery. 🙏
(via @YahooSports)
The road ahead remains uncertain, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned this postseason, it’s that Haliburton will fight with everything he has to rise again.
“What happened with Tyrese, all of our hearts dropped,” Carlisle said. “But he will be back… He’ll be back in time, and I believe he’ll make a full recovery.”
SGA Reacts to Haliburton’s Heartbreaking Game 7 Injury