Tyrese Haliburton Reveals Emotional Reggie Miller Moment After Game 7 Injury

Reggie Miller brought his son with him. At halftime of Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, the two walked into the Indiana Pacers' locker room in Oklahoma City to see Tyrese Haliburton, who had torn his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter.

Haliburton told the story in a 30-minute video with Miller released Thursday. It was the last thing he brought up.

They had never really talked about it, he said.

"I appreciate our friendship very much," Haliburton said. "And what people don't know, which some of we never really talked about, Game 7 when I got hurt, you and your son came to the locker room at halftime. That will forever be special to me. Had a group hug in that moment and let me cry in your arms, which I'll never forget, so I'm thankful for you forever."

The injury came on a non-contact drive on June 22, 2025, with the game tied 16-16. Haliburton had already made three 3-pointers. Oklahoma City pulled away in the second half, won 103-91, and took the title.

After the final buzzer, ESPN cameras caught Miller hugging a tearful T.J. McConnell as McConnell came off the floor toward the locker room. On Instagram that night, Miller wrote that he "felt the gut punch to Pacer Nation."

Miller was 34 when he finally reached the Finals, in 2000. Haliburton was 25 in 2025, and Miller answered him by talking about how young this group was.

"I love the blending of eras," Miller said. "You play for the same thing that I always thought about, the fans, the city, the state, and you brought us all together back again. And all you guys did, and how you represent the Pacers blue and gold, it's special. And for you guys to be so young and right in the middle of it, I'm just glad to be along for the ride."

Surgery came the following day. On July 7, 2025, Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard ruled Haliburton out for the entire 2025-26 season.

The Pacers finished that season 19-63, a franchise record for losses. One team in the league had a worse record.

Pascal Siakam averaged 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. He was an All-Star for the fourth time. Andrew Nembhard started at point guard for most of the year.

By late January, Haliburton was playing full-court 4-on-4 against team interns and reserves. Facial shingles, diagnosed Feb. 22, then cost him time. In August he said he would be ready to play if the season started that day. Circle City Spin's Tony East reported this month that Haliburton is ready to go for next season.

In 2024-25, his last full season, Haliburton averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists over 73 games. He shot 47.3% from the field and 85.1% at the line and made the All-NBA Third Team. Over 23 playoff games during the Finals run, he averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists.

After Game 3 of the Finals in Indianapolis, Haliburton posed for pictures with Miller's two young children, who sat courtside with their father. Following Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a win that forced Game 7, he and Miller hugged on the court.

Pacers training camp opens Sept. 29. Indiana plays its season opener Oct. 21 at New Orleans.