Pacers Executive Believes Indiana Could Have Won NBA Finals if Tyrese Haliburton Stayed Healthy
The Indiana Pacers’ hopes of capturing their first NBA championship took a hit when star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was forced to exit Game 7 due to injury just seven minutes into the game.
Haliburton had been playing through a calf strain during the NBA Finals, with the Pacers uncertain until game day whether he’d be able to suit up for Game 6. Despite the injury, the two-time NBA All-Star played in the crucial contest, helping the Pacers stay alive and force a Game 7. However, he was unable to continue in the decisive game, suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the first quarter, which led to his exit.
The Oklahoma City Thunder eventually defeated the Pacers 103-91 to win the title.
Pacers executive Kevin Pritchard expressed his belief that Indiana would have secured the championship if Haliburton had remained healthy.
“In my mind, no one can tell me that we weren’t going to win a championship if Ty stays healthy,” Pritchard said. “I know that’s biased, but I truly believe it. He had that ‘eye of the tiger’ mentality.”
Haliburton’s desire to play through the pain influenced the Pacers’ decision to let him compete in Game 6 and Game 7. He was determined to help bring an NBA title back to Indiana.
“I’m a competitor. I want to play. I’m going to do everything in my power to play,” Haliburton said before Game 6. “I want to be out there. That’s the plan.”
Despite the devastating Achilles injury, Haliburton has no regrets about his decision to push through the pain in the Finals.
“He’s told me many times — and this shows what kind of kid he is — ‘I would do it over and over again,'” Pritchard shared.
However, if given the chance to go back in time, Pritchard admitted that he would have prevented Haliburton from playing to protect the long-term health of the young star.
“If I knew he was going to get hurt, I would sacrifice that game,” Pritchard said. “I care for him so much and want him to have an incredible career.”
While the Pacers are hopeful they can make a playoff run next season, competing for a title without Haliburton remains a significant challenge.
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