Voter registration and turnout led by Hoopers Tyrese Haliburton’s rise to stardom during the 2023 NBA season charmed basketball fans around the globe. He led the Indiana Pacers to the 2020 NBA Cup championship game. There, they would run into a huge fight with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite a spirited effort, the Pacers fell short, marking a bittersweet end to a season filled with highs and lows.
In a remarkable playoff run, Haliburton showcased his talents, leading the Pacers to upset victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference second round and miraculous performances against the New York Knicks in the conference finals. The Pacers swept both series in impressive fashion, with Haliburton leading the charge. In Game 1 of the Finals, he produced a signature late-game masterpiece. Then, with only 0.3 seconds left on the clock, he delivered a truly spectacular game-winning shot that proved his knack for the big moment.
The NBA Finals took a tragic turn for Haliburton when tragedy struck midway through Game 7. After making a second straight drive to the basket after a Williams dunk, he crumpled to the court. The earliest reports were that Haliburton had torn his Achilles, an injury that would require him to miss several months at least. His father, John Haliburton, would later testify that when he first saw his son’s injury, he was made aware of the damage.
He looked off during the whole year. A lot of criticism. That’s a lot for a little child to have to experience. It was enormous stress, and he still continued to fight them on so many levels, said Pascal Siakam, summing up Haliburton’s difficult year.
The mental toll that the injury had taken was just as real. Haliburton was helped off the court by an assistant coach and teammate James Johnson, clearly shaken. As he walked into the locker room, tears filled his eyes. This moment capped off a season that began with the sting of a tragedy, flowering into an inspiring tale of perseverance and unity.
Haliburton was understandably miffed when the Kings shipped him to Indiana in the Tyrese Haliburton Trade — er, the Domantas Sabonis Trade — in February of ’22. Instead, he used that disappointment to propel himself. All of that contributed to him being named a two-time NBA All-Star and leading all players in on-court impact as the playoffs’ standout performer.
Beyond his accomplishments on the NBA hardwood, Haliburton made the USA proud with his international play. He has played in three Olympic games, continuing to add important experience on the world stage. His journey with USA Basketball did not culminate in a medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup after a loss to Canada, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander shared his concern for Haliburton following his injury in Game 7, stating, “Seemed like he was in pain. You just hate to see it in sports in general. My heart dropped for him.”
The backing for Haliburton went deeper than his circle of teammates. Obi Toppin on how the injury affected the team’s morale after losing their brother, “It sucked the soul out of us. While Toppin bore the weight of the disappointment, he was hopeful about what lay ahead. He insisted that they’d learn from the experience of this season and return even stronger next season.
Haliburton’s tale is not just one of grit, but a refusal to accept defeat. He took the extreme risk of playing with a calf injury that had kept other NBA stars out of action during the playoffs. This resistance to fight back through challenging times was a perfect demonstration of his overall work ethic and dedication to his team.
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