After defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, the Oklahoma City Thunder are world champions. However, many NBA fans will remember this postseason for its crushing injuries to star players.
One could build an All-Star team with the big names who missed time during these playoffs. Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Tyrese Haliburton all went down at some point, contributing to their team’s exits.
The Achilles injuries to Lillard, Tatum, and Haliburton were especially heartbreaking. Not only were they season-ending, but they’ll also likely cause those players to miss most (if not all) of next year as well.
Damian Lillard – April 27, 2025Jayson Tatum – May 12, 2025Tyrese Haliburton – June 22, 2025Achilles tears in 3 NBA superstars in a matter of 2 months. NBA you have a HUGE problem.
🚩🚩🚩
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) June 23, 2025
Haliburton’s, which occurred in the first quarter of Game 7, came with a championship on the line. He’d gotten off to a fast start, too, scoring nine points in seven minutes before going down.
Story continues below advertisement
His Pacers fought valiantly without him, but were unable to keep up with the deeper and more talented Thunder. Indiana’s offense sputtered and ran out of gas in the second half against Oklahoma City’s relentless defense.
Haliburton’s right Achilles injury came six weeks after Tatum suffered the exact same injury against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Tatum’s occurred late in the fourth quarter of Game 4 with the Celtics trying to mount a comeback and even the series at Madison Square Garden.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
Boston bounced back to win Game 5 at home but got blown out in Game 6, ending its goal of becoming the NBA’s first repeat champion since the 2017-2018 Golden State Warriors.
Celtics and Pacers fans can only wonder if their seasons would have ended differently had Tatum and Haliburton stayed healthy. Both players were in the midst of outstanding games when their injuries occurred, making their sudden departures even more painful.
Story continues below advertisement
Now, both franchises must face an uncertain future without their best players. Tatum and Haliburton both have lengthy rehabs ahead of them, and it’s unclear when they’ll be able to return to the court or how effective they’ll be when they do.
Featured image via Kyle Terada/Imagn Images
