Tyrese Haliburton’s Emotional NBA Finals Journey
During a recent appearance on the Impaulsive podcast, Tyrese Haliburton recounted the emotional rollercoaster he experienced during the NBA Finals last June, particularly in relation to his health and performance. Following an MRI that revealed a strained calf right before crucial Game 6, Haliburton was adamant about competing. He expressed, “It’s the Finals, man. I’ve worked my whole life to be here and I want to be out there to compete. Help my teammates any way I can.”
Seeking Guidance from Kevin Durant
Haliburton took the notable step of reaching out to Kevin Durant for advice, recalling Durant’s own experience with a calf injury that ultimately led to a torn Achilles during the Finals with the Golden State Warriors. Despite the risks, Haliburton participated in Game 6 and initially seemed to push through the pain without major issues. However, tragedy struck in Game 7 when he suffered a torn Achilles, effectively sidelining him for an extended period.
Reflections on Injury and Regret
In a candid discussion with podcast host Logan Paul, Haliburton revealed that he had received advice from friends and mentors suggesting he shut it down after Game 5, but he dismissed those recommendations.
“No. Hell no. I’ll be honest—I called KD after I got my MRI after Game 5. I asked him if he regretted playing the game he tore his Achilles in. He said he had no regrets, and that reassured me,” Haliburton shared.
Reflecting on his injury, he acknowledged that he wouldn’t be back on the court for approximately 15 months, confirming the Indiana Pacers’ stance that he would miss the entirety of the upcoming season.
On NBA Conspiracy Theories
Haliburton’s podcast discussions also touched on the conspiracy theories about the NBA being scripted, to which he humorously responded, insinuating that the league would likely not rig games for teams like the Pacers or the Oklahoma City Thunder.
