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USA Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tyrese Haliburton praises Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after NBA Finals: 'MVP for a reason'
Despite having every reason to be upset with how the 2025 NBA Finals played out, Tyrese Haliburton has stuck with his glass-half-full perspective on life. The Oklahoma City Thunder won a decisive Game 7 over the Indiana Pacers to capture their first championship. But Haliburton's torn Achilles hovered over the legacy-defining game. Once he went down, the Thunder jogged their way to an NBA championship. Nobody on the Pacers could make up for what the All-Star brings both as a scorer and playmaker. Alas, Haliburton's absence rubbed some folks the wrong way. They view it as a cheap title for the Thunder. Of course you're going to win a game where TJ McConnell was relied upon to create buckets. That said, it comes with the territory of sports. There was always a risk involved as Haliburton played through a calf strain. Appearing on ESPN's "Pat McAfee Show," Haliburton had no sour grapes about the Thunder's championship. He went out of his way to compliment Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's fresh off one of the greatest individual seasons ever highlighted by an MVP, Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP trophies. "Shai is the MVP for a reason. I think that he gets paint touches at an elite level. Does a great job of getting to his spots, can score at all three levels," Haliburton said. "The season he put together is one of the greatest seasons in NBA history." Haliburton has always been complimentary towards Gilgeous-Alexander. He called him the MVP before he won the trophy. What made it more daring for him to say that was that Nikola Jokic was still in a two-man race. He almost led one of the biggest upsets ever but fell just short. A championship counts all the same for the Thunder. They received some injury luck, sure. But so did every other NBA champion in league history. What happened to Haliburton is unfortunate and altered the Pacers' long-term future, but it would've been unreasonable to expect him to sit out with a championship within grasp.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Tyrese Haliburton tried to 'walk like Kobe' after Achilles tear, stunned by pain in Game 7 heartbreak
Tyrese Haliburton recently suffered an injury (Image via Getty Images) NBA legend Tyrese Haliburton recently claimed that he attempted to walk like Kobe Bryant after tearing his Achilles tendon. He recently acknowledged on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show that he believed his body had survived Game 7 of the NBA Finals until the incident happened. He went on to discuss how Kobe Bryant's recovery from his Achilles injury served as inspiration for him and he tried to do that same. He felt optimistic going into the pivotal match after playing a few minutes. However, he couldn't do it. Tyrese Haliburton reflects on devastating Achilles injury and the challenge of living up to Kobe Bryant's legacy Tyrese Haliburton appeared on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. It was his first interview with the public since the injury. During the same, he claimed that he isn't considering the amount of work he had done to assist the team because he would reportedly be out for the entire 2025–2026 season due to his injury. He further stated: "There was definitely a cause of concern that that could happen…. You always hear people who have this injury say it feels like somebody kicked you in the back of the leg. It's not the most painful thing, but it does feel like if you let some elementary-age kid just come up and line you up like a kickball and just kick you in the back of the leg. That's what it feels like. When I went down, I knew right away what had happened." Tyrese Haliburton On What Led To Achilles Tear & Rehab Plans | Pat McAfee Show The Indiana Pacers player went on to say that he attempted to walk it off because, in 2013, Kobe Bryant not only walked off the court but also made two free throws before the L.A. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Lakers fouled him. However, he soon realized that it wasn't an option. He then stated: "I was on the ground, I was like, 'Let me walk'... Kobe walked. I'm walking.' So when I got up and went to take a step, there was no chance… When I went to move my leg, it's like dead weight at the end of your leg. So the fact that Kobe shot a free throw and walked off is unbelievable… Certain guys have walked off, but when I went to take a step, that's when the guys threw the towel over me…" Tyrese Haliburton plays for the Indiana Pacers (Image via Getty images) Since Tyrese Haliburton is still using a motorized scooter four weeks after his surgery, his leg rehabilitation is still a long way off. He further added during the interview that returning for the 2026-2027 season and trying to return the Indiana Pacers to their previous level of success are his top priorities. Also read: Tyrese Haliburton spotted supporting Caitlin Clark at Indiana Fever game after recent surgery For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'I want to take this time to just keep growing my mind for the game' - Tyrese Haliburton focuses on mental health alongside physical recovery
Tyrese Haliburton. Image via: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Tyrese Haliburton suffered a major blow in Game 7 of the NBA finals, which was an aggravation of the injury that he copped a couple of games prior. Since then, things have gone horribly haywire for the Indiana Pacers' Point Guard. However, appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, he had a message for the upcoming season. The words, despite being grim, would be testimony to the team spirit that runs strong in the Haliban. Tyrese Haliburton is focusing on his mental growth as his rehab continues Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA 2025 finals. Playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Hali was a key element of the Pacers and somewhat carried the franchise on his own shoulders. Before being injured, Hali did make a significant contribution to the Pacers' cause, averaging a staggering 14.0 PPG while dropping a 5.9 APG and 4.6 RPG in the series. In fact, as the final went on, Haliburton braved a growing list of criticisms where he was called the most overrated player of all time, to carve a sizzling masterclass. However, as luck would have it, on the big day, when the Pacers needed him the most, he fell terribly short, due to his Achilles injury and the Thunder would eventually pocket the Larry O'Brien Trophy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Filipinos don't know about this! Read More Undo As doubts loomed large over whether Hali would actually make an appearance for the upcoming season, the man himself had an answer. Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, he cleared the air around his availability for the upcoming season. He also shed light on how he is using his time away from the basketball court. Hali said, 'I really haven't thought about what the season would call for. I don't think that I will be travelling as much as early in the year, depending on the stage of my rehab. I still want to be around the guys as much as possible. I want to take this time to just keep growing my mind for the game.' He further shed light on the fact that being alongside Rick Carlisle has been a boon to him, Hali added, 'Talking to Coach Carlisle made me realise that I have a pretty decent basketball for myself. In the best way I can for the guys, I am going to be on that bench. Obviously, once I am able to walk, I will be cheering for the guys.' Tyrese Haliburton's 2024-25 season at a glance Tyrese Haliburton has been an absolute blessing for the Indiana Pacers ever since he joined the franchise. In the last season, he was a part of 73 games, registering a staggering 33.6 minutes per fixture, while hammering home a masterclass which read 18.6 PPG, 9.2 APG and 3.5 RPG. He was also strong on the defensive front, coming up with 1.4 steals per game while averaging a block of 0.7 per game. With an overall points tally of 1359, Haliburton did prove to be the nexus of the Indiana Pacers. It was his injury that proved to be too costly for the Pacers in the Game 7 of the finals. Hali's showdown against the Knicks on November 10th, where he ran an absolute riot with 35 points next to his name, was a burning testimony to his scintillating stature. Also read: Luka Doncic expected to sign long-term extension to stay with Los Angeles Lakers through prime years Whether Hali would be back for this season or not remains a question, the Pacers will have to think about secondary options. The Pacers might start banking a lot more on Andrew Nembhard, considering his decent performances in the last season. The Pacers might also consider redoing the distribution duties amongst the likes of Bennedict Mathurin, Bruce Brown and Pascal Siakam. With all of this being said, it is going to be intriguing to see how Carlisle shuffles his unit in the absence of Hali. FAQs: What has happened to Tyrese Haliburton? Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. When can Tyrese Haliburton return? Going by the reports of the medical experts, Tyrese Haliburton might be out for approximately 10 months, which is suggestive of the fact that he might not return for the entire season. Does the Indiana Pacers have a good option to replace Tyrese Haliburton? The Pacers have a strong crop of youngsters who can come in handy in order to form a new world order, including the likes of Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aaron Rodgers Reveals Player Who Led Him to Sign with Steelers: ‘He's a Big Reason I'm in Pittsburgh'
New Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers revealed which player had the biggest impact on him signing with Pittsburgh. There were several factors that led quarterback Aaron Rodgers to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. But the four-time NFL MVP revealed there's one Steeler that he couldn't turn down the chance of playing with. Advertisement 'D.K. [Metcalf] is a lead-by-example guy,' Rodgers said during his Tuesday appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show.' 'He's a big reason I'm in Pittsburgh as well. Conversations that we had, and just the kind of person that he is. At the start of the year, I didn't really know DK at all.' Rodgers began building his relationship with Metcalf in March when the two had a throwing session at UCLA. Since then, the 41-year-old has not stopped gushing over the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Metcalf. 'He's like, 'I work out at six a.m. every day.' I'm like, okay, this guy has discipline, this guy has a drive. I said, How about eight o'clock because I'm gonna have to drive from Malibu to UCLA? He said, 'Yeah, that's fine.' He's not just a specimen, but he's a really solid human being,' Rodgers continued. 'He is a solid dude, and he leads by example. The way he practices. The room goes how the top dog goes, and when DK catches the ball and finishes 60 yards to the endzone, it makes everyone else want to do the same thing.' Advertisement Many questioned if the Steelers roster was enticing enough for Rodgers to sign with them. It turns out, their trade for Metcalf in March made all the difference. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf speaks at a press conference about his contract signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Thursday, March 13, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers) Rodgers still took a few more months before ultimately joining Pittsburgh, but that's because he was dealing with personal issues off the field. Now, Rodgers and Metcalf can continue building their rapport before heading to training camp in July. Rodgers said that's exactly the plan. Only time will tell if they can have as productive of a season as many are imagining, but with a very underwhelming wide receiver room past Metcalf, it's a safe bet to make. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Aaron Rodgers Reveals Player Who Led Him to Sign with Steelers: 'He's a Big Reason I'm in Pittsburgh' Related Headlines
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Tyrese Haliburton thought he was in the clear for Game 7. Then, snap. 'That happening definitely sucked'
Tyrese Haliburton knew going into Game 7 of the NBA Finals an Achilles tendon tear was the worst-case scenario on the list of things he was risking by playing through a calf strain. The Pacers' two-time All-NBA point guard knew what sensation to expect if that were to occur, so when he tried to drive but instead crumpled to the ground with 5:02 to go in the first quarter, he knew exactly what he was in for. "There was definitely a cause of concern that that could happen," Haliburton said Tuesday on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show in his first public interview since the injury and the Pacers' loss. "You always hear people who have this injury say it feels like somebody kicked you in the back of the leg. It's not the most painful thing, but it does feel like if you let some elementary-age kid just come up and line you up like a kickball and just kick you in the back of the leg. That's what it feels like. When I went down, I knew right away what had happened." And Haliburton said at the moment he wasn't thinking about all the work he'd put into helping the Pacers reach the NBA Finals and all the rehab that was coming as he will miss all the 2025-26 season. His emotions came from just knowing he wouldn't be able to close out Game 7 after hitting three 3-pointers to start the game. "I think I was just hurt that I wasn't going to be out there," Haliburton said. "I think it was all those emotions coming at once, but I wasn't thinking about next year or what's led up to this. All I was thinking about was being in the moment of Game 7 and that happening definitely sucked." The Achilles tendon tear was the culminating event in a series of lower right leg issues for Haliburton during the Finals. He was seen limping away from the podium after his news conference in Game 2. He said he was feeling some pain in the back of his leg and said he thought he was dehydrated because he generally doesn't drink enough water on gamedays. He underwent treatment leading up to the next three games but was fine until Game 5 when he fell again trying to drive past Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren. He ended up scoring just four points on 0-of-6 shooting in that game. "Right there I felt a pull in the back of my calf," Haliburton said. "Now that's all I'm thinking about all game, that's what I'm concerned about is my leg." The next day Haliburton had an MRI and he was told by doctors if it was the regular season he would have had to sit out a few weeks. But it was not the regular season and the Pacers were facing elimination heading into Game 6, so he wanted to play. "I'm sitting there and I'm like, 'Well as long as you guys don't tell me absolutely you can't play, we're gonna keep you in your house,' I'm gonna play," Haliburton said. "It's the NBA Finals. What are we talking about?" Haliburton said he had to pass a calf stress test before the Game 6 and passed. The Pacers won 108-91 and he only had to play 23 minutes in the blowout. He felt even better than he expected after Game 6 and heading into Game 7 didn't feel like he had any problems at all. "After Game 6, I'm like 'it's done, it's gone, adrenaline is going to get to me, I'm going to be good,'" Haliburton said. "I go to Game 7, I feel nothing. I feel great going into the game. I think that's why I had a great start to the game. My body felt great. Then obviously, that happens in the end." Haliburton said he tried walking off because when Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles tendon in 2013, he not only walked off the floor, he also shot two free throws before the Lakers fouled to get him out of the game. He found out quickly, however, that it wasn't an option. "I was on the ground, I was like, 'Let me walk,'" Haliburton said. "'Kobe walked. I'm walking.' So when I got up and went to take a step, there was no chance. I was like, 'Don't touch me, I'm gonna walk.' When I went to move my leg, it's like dead weight at the end of your leg. So the fact that Kobe shot a free throw and walked off is unbelievable. It's unbelievable. Certain guys have walked off, but when I went to take a step, that's when the guys threw the towel over me because my face was just like (shocked). I couldn't believe what was actually happening in the moment." Haliburton is now four weeks past his surgery and still getting around on a motorized scooter so actual rehab on the leg is still a long way off. He has a huge support group including fellow NBA stars who either are going through the injury or have in the past. He said he's been in fairly constant contact with Kevin Durant — who tore his Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals. Durant came to Indiana to visit Haliburton at his house days ago. Haliburton has also been constantly speaking with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who tore his Achilles in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks. Tatum's timeline is a little ahead of Haliburton's but they'll both miss all of next season. While he's still getting around on a scooter and keeping the leg mostly elevated, he's barely touched a basketball. He's been a constant presence at Fever games and was at the WNBA All-Star Game and it's associated events in Indianapolis all weekend and he's spent a lot of his time at home playing video games. One thing he can do, however, is work on his upper body, which his helpful because Haliburton has always been slight of build and has struggled to put on muscle. All this time without basketball and without much in the way of cardio work should allow him to do that. "I started lifting two weeks ago upper body," Haliburton said. "I'm in a hoodie, you can't tell, but I'm jacked under this hoodie. Bulking season." Haliburton saw two teammates work their way back from Achilles tendon tears throughout last season in Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, but those two were backup centers and Haliburton is the face of the franchise. Their presence around the team was occasional until their rehab progressed to on-court work. Haliburton will want to make sure he's around the facility on and off the court as much as possible. "I haven't even thought about what the season will call for," Haliburton said. "I probably won't be traveling as much early in the year depending on what stage of rehab I'm in. But I still want to be around the guys as much as possible. I think I want to take this time to keep growing my mind for the game. Being around coach (Rick) Carlisle. Sit in on coaches meetings. (Kevin) Pritchard, talking to those guys and helping. I feel like I have a pretty decent basketball mind myself. So I'm just trying to help the guys as best as I can. I'm going to be on the bench as soon as I can walk." But his biggest focus, of course, is just getting back for the 2026-27 season and try to get the Pacers back to where they were. "I'm going to fight like hell to get back and hopefully get this opportunity to win a championship again," Haliburton said. "But that's not guaranteed. That feeling definitely sits with me sometimes and that sucks, but I can't really control the past. I can't control what's to happen in the future. All I can do is just attack this rehab as best as I can and figure it out that way."
