'I don't regret it': Tyrese Haliburton writes post on social media after surgery
INDIANAPOLIS -- After surgery to repair his torn right Achilles tendon in New York on Monday evening, Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton posted a lengthy message social media that he if he had to do it all over again, he'd still play in Game 6 and 7 of the NBA Finals despite a strained right calf.
Haliburton suffered the first injury in Game 5 and went through around-the-clock treatment to play to try to lead the Pacers to their first NBA championship in franchise history. He helped the Pacers win Game 6 to force a Game 7 on Sunday night in Oklahoma City, but crumbled to the floor on a drive with 5 minutes to go in the first quarter and had to be carried to the locker room. An MRI confirmed an Achilles tendon tear on Monday and he flew to New York for a surgery with Dr. Martin O' Malley.
Advertisement
Haliburton said after Game 5 that as long as he could walk he wanted to play. After Game 6 he said he knew that if he didn't give it a try, he would regret it. In Game 7, the worst-case scenario played out on the Paycom Center floor, but Haliburton said he'd still make the same bet.
"I know I'll come out on the other side of this a better man and a better player," Haliburton wrote. "And honestly, right now, torn Achilles and all, I don't regret it. I'd do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special."
Re-live the Pacers incredible postseason run with our commemorative book
That's not to say Haliburton has gotten over the pain yet -- physical or emotional.
Advertisement
"Man," he wrote. "Don't know how to explain it other than shock. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable. I've worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense."
He didn't say much about the surgery itself, but did say the feeling wasn't enjoyable.
"Now that I've gotten surgery, I wish I could count the number of times people will tell me I'm going to 'come back stronger," Haliburton wrote. "What a cliche lol, this (expletive) sucks. My foot feels like dead weight, fam. But what's hurting most I think is my mind. Feel like I'm rambling, but I know this is something I'll look back on when I'm through this, as something I'm proud I fought through. It feels good to let this (expletive) out without y'all seeing the kid ugly cry."
Haliburton commiserated with the Pacers' fan base, which has seen its stars fall victim to devastating injury over and over with Paul George's broken leg and Victor Oladipo's quadriceps tear being among the most recent painful examples. The Pacers have never been as close to an NBA title as they were in these Finals, the first in which they have ever won three games.
Advertisement
"Indy, I'm sorry," Haliburton said. "If any fan base doesn't deserve this, it's y'all. But together we are going to fight like hell to get back to this very spot, and get over this hurdle. I don't doubt for a second that y'all have my back, and I hope you guys know that I have yours."
And despite the cliche, Haliburton vowed to use the opportunity to get stronger.
"I think Kobe (Bryant) said it best when in this same situation," Haliburton wrote. 'There are far greater issues/challenges in the world than a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.' And that's exactly right. I will do everything in my power to get back right."
"My journey to get to where I am today wasn't by happenstance," Haliburton continued. "I've pushed myself every day to be great. And I will continue to do just that. The most important part of this all, is that I'm grateful. I'm grateful for every single experience that's led me here. I'm grateful for all the love from the hoop world. I don't 'have to' go through this, I get to go through this. I'm grateful for the road that lies ahead. Watch how I come back from this. So, give me some time, I'll dust myself off and get right back to being the best version of Tyrese Haliburton."
Advertisement
Get IndyStar's Pacers coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Pacers Update newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Tyrese Haliburton injury: Pacers star posts on social media
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Manny Pacquiao trains at 'amazing' Raiders facility before big fight
Manny Pacquiao, preparing to return to the boxing ring at 46 on Saturday in Las Vegas, escaped the suffocating heat Wednesday, July 16. But not as long as expected. The Filipino star did shadow boxing and ab work inside the Las Vegas' Raiders training facility. But with an unexpected breeze outside, Pacquiao did a light jog around the outdoor fields, said Marcus Padilla, the Raiders' Senior Director of Broadcast, who arranged the visit. 'It was awesome,'' Padilla said. Will Carless, head of the Raiders' communications and public relations department, also confirmed Pacquiao's visit. The work was some of Pacquiao's final training before his fight with Mario Barrios, which will be his first since 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision. The visit began on Wednesday before 8 a.m. when Pacquiao arrived with an entourage of about 15 people that included his trainer, Freddie Roach. Typically, when in Las Vegas for a fight, Pacquiao runs at UNLV. 'I think they're going to have to talk sense in Manny because he would run through Hades and train, and I don't know if he's as concerned about conserving his energy,'' Padilla said before the visit. No luck. Although the temperature reached 88 degrees by 8 a.m., Pacquiao still headed for a walk and light jog around the three outdoor fields at the Raiders' Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson – about 12 miles from MGM Grand Garden Arena where Pacquiao will fight Saturday night. Manny Pacquiao's grasp of football Pacquiao's manager, Sean Gibbons, said he wasn't sure if the legendary boxer even knows how many yards it takes to get a first down. 'Manny's passion is basketball and chess,'' Gibbons told USA TODAY Sports before Pacquiao's visit to the Raiders' facility. But Gibbons said Pacquiao has developed a friendship with Camryn Bynum, a safety for the Indianapolis Colts whose mother is Filipino. This is not the Raiders' foray into the world of boxing. Tyson used property owned by Raiders owner Mark Davis to build a gym he used while training for his fight against Jake Paul on Nov. 15. While Tyson lost to the former YouTuber, Pacquiao, who has won world titles in eight weight divisions, is taking on a more daunting, much stiffer challenge. He is seeking to become the first Hall of Fame boxer to win a world title. The WBC welterweight title will be on the line when he fights 30-year-old Mario Barrios, the reigning WBC champion. Pacquiao, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June, has not held a world title since losing the WBO welterweight championship in 2017 to Jeff Horn by unanimous decision. How did Pacquiao's visit materialize Padilla, who is Filipino and president of the Raiders' Asian Pacific Islander group, said his attempt to get Pacquiao to the Raiders fell through in 2009 when the Raiders were still in Oakland. After learning about Pacquiao's comeback, Padilla said, he visited the boxer's training camp in Los Angeles and set in motion the boxer's visit to the Raiders' training facility. Upon Pacquaio's arrival at the facility, Padilla said, the boxer marveled at the facility and said, 'Big. Amazing.'' The Raiders also have made their facility available to soccer superstar Neymar and WWE superstar Roman Reigns, according to Padilla and Kiss. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Manny Pacquiao trains at Raiders facility before big fight
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How is Bradley Beal expected to fit with the Clippers?
Bradley Beal reportedly has agreed to a buyout from the Phoenix Suns and is expected to join the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN. Beal is expected to receive a two-year, $11 million contract with a player option after he clears waivers, according to ESPN. After two disappointing years with the Suns, it seems Beal and his family prioritized fit over paycheck. The Clippers are a solid landing spot for the 32-year-old who is entering his 14th season. Let's break down how he's expected to fit on a team that considers itself a contender in the West. What Bradley Beal does for the Clippers Los Angeles traded Norman Powell in a deal for John Collins, meaning there's a significant hole for the Clips at shooting guard, which is the only position Beal can really play. At 6-foot-4 and with a feathery touch, Beal would seem like a seamless fit alongside the more ball-dominant James Harden and do-it-all (when healthy) wing Kawhi Leonard. But Beal does have his own availability issues, with the veteran averaging 49 games played the past four seasons. With the Clippers strengthening their frontline via the acquisitions of Collins and Brook Lopez in free agency, Beal's signing should bring tremendous roster balance. A lineup of Harden, Beal, Leonard, Collins, and Ivica Zubac might be one of the most potent starting units in the NBA, with a healthy mix of interior and perimeter offense. Of course, health will always be the major issue with the Clippers, but if things do break right, they could be a formidable threat in the Western Conference.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bradley Beal reportedly reaches buyout with Suns, to sign deal with Clippers
Bradley Beal's time with the Phoenix Suns is over. Beal reached a buyout with the Suns on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, ending his two-season run with the franchise. Beal is now expected to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. The deal will include a player option. Per Charania, Beal's priority was "finding the best basketball situation." Beal's time with the Suns did not go as planned. He landed with the franchise in 2023 after spending the first 11 seasons of his career with the Washington Wizards. But, despite playing alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Suns largely struggled to compete in the Western Conference. Durant has since been traded to the Houston Rockets while Phoenix starts to rebuild. Beal was moved out of the starting lineup last season, too, while he was linked to trade rumors with Jimmy Butler amid his tumultuous exit with the Miami Heat. It marked the first time that Beal had been placed in a reserve role in just shy of a decade. Beal had a no-trade clause in the five-year, $251 million deal he first signed with the Wizards, though, which limited the Suns' options ahead of the deadline last season. Butler eventually went to the Golden State Warriors. Beal was still owed nearly $111 million on his contract before the buyout. He was earning more than $50 million a season. Beal averaged 17 points last season, which is his worst output since his rookie campaign. He also averaged 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting just shy of 50% from the field. The Suns went just 36-46 last season and missed the playoffs. They parted ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer and have since hired Jordan Ott to replace him. Ott is the franchise's fourth head coach in four seasons. Even though Beal's time with the Suns didn't go as planned, and there were plenty of rough stretches with the Wizards, the 32-year-old is now getting a fresh start with what will be the third team of his career.
