The Pacers’ bench was a scene of visible distress towards the end of the Pacers-Raptors game yesterday. Their brutal season, which began with Tyrese Haliburton’s 2025 Finals injury, has continued into 2026 with another setback. Johnny Furphy, the young, energetic Aussie who was keeping the Indiana spirit alive, went down in the most heartbreaking fashion. His midgame injury not only made Rick Carlisle pale as a ghost but also left Tyrese Haliburton overwhelmingly emotional.

In a cruel twist before the Indiana Pacers’ 122-104 drubbing by the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena—which stretched their skid to four straight—second-year forward Johnny Furphy suffered a heartbreaking injury in the second half. The 21-year-old charged toward the rim for a thunderous dunk, nailed it cleanly, and landed what looked like a textbook finish.

No shove, no tangle, no contact at all. But as his foot hit the floor, disaster struck: he stumbled awkwardly and crumpled to the court, clutching his leg in agony. A devastating non-contact mishap and one massive stroke of misfortune for the young wing.

Nothing could summarize the emotional toll repeated major injuries has taken on the whole of Indiana more than Rick Carlisle and Tyrese Haliburton’s reaction.

The Pacers’ head coach was visibly stressed and deeply worried about Furphy. Haliburton, who’s been sidelined with an ACL tear since the NBA Finals, couldn’t move. He was frozen on the sidelines, hands joined in prayer for his young teammate.

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Haliburton, usually known for his supercharged energy, appeared shaken, reflecting the deep bond Furphy has built with his teammates in a short span.

And he wasn’t the only one. Johnny Furphy’s injury united the NBA world in pain and support for him.

Pacers Nation can’t cope with Johnny Furphy’s injury

As footage of the injury circulated on social media, fans and observers immediately feared the worst. The landing’s visuals were particularly distressing for many viewers. One fan bluntly assessed the mechanics of the fall by stating, “That’s a clear ACL… f—.”

Despite how bad it looks, there were no obvious external factors involved in the play, leading another spectator to note, “That was super unlucky… nothing weird about that landing.”

The reaction from the coaching staff was a primary indicator of the injury’s severity for those watching at home. Rick Carlisle opened his post-game press conference on a heavy note, confirming the uncertainty surrounding the situation. “Rick Carlisle opens his press conference by saying they don’t know about Johnny Furphy’s injury yet but he’ll be evaluated tomorrow in New York,” a reporter in Toronto posted, highlighting the immediate concern for the rookie’s long-term health.

Observing the veteran coach’s anxiety during the game and in the presser, one fan pointed out, “U know it’s horrific when a bald dude rubbing his head like he got hair.”

This sentiment was echoed by thousands of others who recognized that Furphy has quickly become a fan favorite across the NBA landscape. The outpouring of support transcended team loyalties, as even rivals paused to offer their well-wishes, with one individual commenting, “As a Pacers hater, respectfully my prayers goes out to that young man 🙏🏽.”

Furphy has navigated his second NBA season with immense passion and character amid a very turbulent season for the team.”To one of the most likable guys in the league too 🙏🏼,” wrote one supporter, emphasizing the personal impact of seeing such a promising talent sidelined.

As the Pacers organization awaits official word from the specialists in New York, the collective basketball community is hoping for a miracle. A final fan captured the sentiment from this game, “Oh no that’s awful. 🙏prayers up for furphy.”