Finishing the season due to a horrific torn Achilles injury is undoubtedly one of the worst things that can happen to a basketball player.
Well, that’s exactly what happened to Indiana Pacers star Tyrees Halliburton in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
After a memorable 2025 NBA playoff run, Halliburton won one win from leading Pacer to the first ever title. However, due to tore the Achilles heel in the first quarter of the game, fate had other plans for Hari.
Previously, Achilles’ tears were considered a rare injury, but the 2024-25 season certainly changed that. This is an unfortunate NBA record for most Achilles tears in a season.
That said, there are all the players who have shortened the season due to this terrible injury.
- Season Statistics: 18.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 9.2 apg
- Injury details: torested the right Achilles tendon
As mentioned earlier, Halliburton was the latest victim of this injury. Hari struggled so much in Game 7 that he led to former Pacer guard Victor Oladipo, demanding a major change from the NBA.
It was undoubtedly the most heartbreaking injury of the season as Halliburton led to a withdrawal from the game.
- Season Statistics: 26.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 6.0 APG
- Injury details: torested the right Achilles tendon
Boston Celtics superstar Jason Tatum’s injury made headlines in the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Tatum was injured in Game 4 against the New York Knicks. With JT’s injury, NBA legend Nick Van Excel has denounced modern sneakers for an increase in Achilles’ tears.
- Season Statistics: 24.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 7.1 apg
- Injury details: Torn left Achilles tendon
Damien Lillard shed Achilles’ tears in the first round of the playoffs between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers.
With Lillard’s absence, the Pacers registered a simple 4-1 series victory with a short amount of money led by Giannis Antetocomo.
- Season Statistics: 17.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 7.4 apg
- Injury details: torested the right Achilles tendon
DeJounte Murray’s first season with the Pelicans in New Orleans was not ideal as he only played 31 games for his team.
Murray tore his right Achilles tendon in the late January 2025 match against the Celtics.
- Season Statistics: 6.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.0 APG
- Injury details: Torn left Achilles tendon
The 2024-25 season was thought to be the beginning of a new chapter for James Wiseman since James Wiseman joined the Pacers.
However, during Indy’s season opener, Wiseman tore his Achilles tendon and was quickly ruled out for the season.
- Season Statistics: 6.2 ppg, 2.6 RPG, 1.6 APG
- Injury details: Ruptured left Achilles tendon
Dru Smith began the third season of his NBA career with a positive note as he received more than 19.0 minutes per game from Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.
However, Smith took Achilles’ tears in December 2024 after making just 14 appearances.
- Season Statistics: 7.0 ppg, 5.6 RPG, 1.0 APG
- Injury details: torested the right Achilles tendon
There’s a reason no one expects the Pacers to reach the 2025 NBA Finals. After losing Wiseman, the Pacers lost Isaiah Jackson early in the season to an injury to Achilles.
The Pacers were certainly bitten by an injury bug as three players suffered this horrible injury in a single campaign.
- Season Statistics: n/a
- Injury details: torested the right Achilles tendon
Daron Holmes won a spot on the Denver Nuggets’ Summer League roster. However, in the first game, the 22-year-old tore his right Achilles tendon.
As a result, Holmes’ rookie year ended before it began. He is unlikely to become the player he was now.
- Season Statistics: n/a
- Injury details: tore the Achilles tendon
The 2025 NBA Draft brings new leads to the league. Big names are constantly attracting attention, but sometimes the second round is also a chance for NBA teams to hit gold.
Jaron Moore may have been that player, but the talented prospect tore his Achilles heel during a pre-draft training session with the San Antonio Spurs.