The Indiana Pacers’ hopes for their first NBA title took a brutal hit just minutes into Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder . But Pascal Siakam’s words show there are positives to take.
Tyrese Haliburton, the team’s emotional and tactical leader, suffered a non-contact injury early in the first quarter. The diagnosis – later confirmed by his father – was a torn Achilles, ending his season and silencing the Indiana crowd.
Haliburton had been dealing with a right calf strain that kept him out of Game 5. In his heroic return in Game 6, he poured in 14 points and dished out five assists in just 23 minutes, energizing the Pacers and forcing a deciding seventh game.
But the elation quickly turned to horror as Haliburton collapsed onto the floor on a routine play, clutching his lower right leg.
At that point, the Pacers were up 48-47 at halftime. However, the Thunder seized control in the second half, capitalizing on Indiana’s visible emotional deflation to capture the NBA title. Haliburton’s early exit had a seismic impact on the flow and confidence of the team.
Pascal Siakam’s leadership shines through
While the Pacers struggled to process the sudden loss of their point guard, PascalSiakam emerged as a voice of calm and strength. In the locker room during halftime, the veteran forward reportedly turned to his teammates and said, “We’re still in this.”
That short, powerful statement became the emotional rallying point for Indiana. Siakam, a former champion with the Toronto Raptors, brought not only his production on the court but also invaluable leadership off of it. His message was simple but deeply resonant-this team still had fight, and there was still a game to win.
Teammate Myles Turner reinforced the sentiment in a postgame interview. “It’s a heartbreak, man… but we’ve got his back… Next man on the touted list.” Turner’s remarks echoed Siakam’s attitude, shifting the team’s energy from heartbreak to resilience.
Siakam not only delivered that message behind the scenes-he backed it up on the court, taking on more offensive responsibility and helping guide a shaken roster through the remainder of the contest. Though the Pacers ultimately came up short, Siakam’s efforts stood out.
A defining moment in a season of growth
This Finals loss, while painful, marks a significant chapter in Indiana’s resurgence. Behind Haliburton’s leadership and Siakam’s postseason poise, the Pacers had returned to relevance in a loaded Eastern Conference
The sudden injury to Haliburton – a rising star in the league – was a cruel twist of fate. But the way the team, especially Siakam, responded reflected growth and maturity far beyond the scoreboard.
“We’re still in this” became more than a halftime battle cry. It symbolized the grit of a team learning to believe in itself regardless of adversity. Haliburton’s injury may have ended the Pacers’ title run this year, but with Siakam’s leadership and the team’s newfound playoff experience, the foundation has been set for a promising future.
As Haliburton begins what will undoubtedly be a grueling recovery process, he can take solace in knowing that his teammates didn’t fold. Instead, they stood tall – led by a veteran who reminded everyone that in basketball, as in life, perseverance sometimes matters more than the final result.
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