Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens announced that the team reached out to the Indiana Pacers after Tyrese Haliburton suffered a season-ending injury. Haliburton, the Pacers star guard, tore his Achilles during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, bringing his impressive postseason run to an abrupt end. Before the injury, he had been averaging 17.3 points, 8.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, helping lead Indiana to its first Finals appearance since 2000.
Stevens noted that Boston’s front office wanted to offer assistance to Indiana following Haliburton’s injury, drawing from their own recent experience with Jayson Tatum, who also suffered a torn Achilles earlier in the playoffs. Tatum’s injury occurred during the Celtics’ second-round series against the New York Knicks, and he had been averaging 28.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists before the setback.
As both franchises grapple with the impact of these significant injuries, Stevens shared that the Celtics are undergoing a transitional offseason, reshaping their roster following playoff exits. The team has made significant trades, moving Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a bid to avoid luxury tax penalties.
Additionally, Stevens commented on the future of free agent forward Al Horford, who may not return for the 2025-26 season amid interest from multiple contenders.
With Haliburton’s absence, the Pacers will have to recalibrate their strategies as they prepare for the upcoming season. Both the Celtics and Pacers will continue to evaluate roster options while developing recovery plans for their star players. This period of reflection and adjustment could lead to renewed opportunities for both teams, potentially fostering new talent and strategies that may benefit them in the long run.