When Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in the biggest game of his life, the Pacers’ cornerstone was devastated. Emotions spilled onto the floor and gallery as everyone realized the severity of the injury. Playing Game 7 was always a gamble after his right calf strain, but nothing was going to hold him back. He opened with three quick triples, helping Indiana stay within a point at halftime. But in the end, the Thunder surged ahead, capturing their first title in their new city. But Hali still didn’t leave.

The Pacers’ number 0 stayed around, on crutches, consoling his teammates after the devastating loss. But he was also the person who encouraged them at halftime. “He had a boot on, and he was defiantly encouraging of the other guys. We had a one-point lead at halftime, and you know it was 24 minutes and we just simply couldn’t get there,” head coach Rick Carlisle shared.

The Pacers felt the void that Tyrese Haliburton left after an electric start. Furthermore, watching him in agony and losing their best player was a depressing sight for the whole of Indiana as dreams of the Ring started slipping slowly. Yet, in those minutes, Carlisle and the Pacers didn’t lose belief because this wasn’t the first time the Pacers were playing without Tyrese Haliburton. “Our game wasn’t going to change in terms of our strategy or our basic concepts.”

“It was simply a case where we were going to need to replace one of the best players in the world with another player, and we’re going to have to find a way to do it together. And the messaging was pretty simple. We’ve been here before. We’ve played without Tyrese before. Let’s bear down and do our basics the best that we can, and stick together and go hard,” Carlisle told Zach Lowe.

What stung the most for the Pacers was how Game 7 began. All postseason, Indiana had been known for late-game surges, including a buzzer-beater against New York that even led to Haliburton’s infamous “choke” sign, a repeat of Reggie Miller’s era. But the Finals Game 7 was one of the rare occasions when the team got out to a strong start. Even after losing Haliburton in the first quarter, they held a 26–22 lead in the second. For a while, the game seemed firmly in Indiana’s control. But 103-91 at the end felt one-sided.

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So this wasn’t just a message for potentially clinching a championship in Game 7. It’s what has been the culture in Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton’s egoless demeanor has helped uplift the talent in the team. And while they didn’t get over the hump, the Pacers are prepared to be defiant once again despite the change in dynamic.

Is Indiana prepared for 2025-26 season without Tyrese Haliburton?

The Pacers are going to go through a complete readjustment in managing their talent. All signs point towards Tyrese Haliburton missing the entire season, leaving the team to find a new ace. But when has that ever been their identity?

Even Hali summed it up perfectly during the playoffs. “This team isn’t about one person. We’ve got guys stepping up every night—Pascal, Myles, Obi, whoever it is. That’s why we’re here,” he said. But it’s not just Haliburton they have lost. Myles Turner, their shooting center, also departed for the Bucks in a surprise move.

For a starting point guard, the Pacers have several options. T.J. McConnell could see a promotion to the starting lineup due to his pace and perception. Andrew Nembhard is also expected to have a bigger role this season after a breakout season for the team. As for centers, Rick Carlisle feels like he still has options.

“I will say that Isaiah Jackson’s made a really nice recovery from his Achilles injury. So has James Wiseman. Jay Huff is an NBA shooter and shoots it easy from long range as a center that can both make threes and protect the rim. And we got Tony Bradley, who really emerged in last year’s playoffs as a guy that could play the game and play within our team concept,” he told Lowe.

Add to the equation of depth that consists of Benedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and Aaron Nesmith, and the Pacers are still capable of working their magic once again. The only issue is that they won’t have a player like Haliburton, who shows up under pressure. However, this opens up doors for new talents to take up the responsibility and pick up from last year’s momentum.

How do you view the Pacers in the East? Let us know your honest thoughts in the comments below.