Regardless of struggling a critical damage, Tyrese Haliburton waited for his Pacers teammates and greeted them because the dejected group walked off the court docket following its Recreation 7 loss to the Thunder within the NBA Finals.
Haliburton performed in seven minutes of the sport earlier than he suffered an Achilles damage, however was there for his group, high-fiving them as they entered the locker room whereas he stood with the assistance of crutches on Sunday night time.
Former Pacers nice Reggie Miller shared an emotional second with T.J. McConnell after the sport as effectively, attempting to consolation the heartbroken participant.
McConnell appeared to be close to tears as he entered the again of the sector and Miller embraced him in a hug to console McConnell after the 103-91 loss.
Miller additionally stopped Bennedict Mathurin as he was strolling by to hug him.
McConnell was additionally captured by ESPN cameras being consoled by his mom as he was getting into the tunnel towards the locker rooms.
The Pacers got here up simply wanting the franchise’s first NBA title, however completed their 2024-25 season with quite a lot of accomplishments below its belt.
This yr’s group turned the primary 50-win Pacers’ squad since 2014 and it was the group’s first journey to the NBA Finals since 2000.
“No moral victories, obviously. Deflated, but proud of everything we’ve accomplished. There’s no award for second place so everyone is upset but hats off to OKC — they were the better team today,” McConnell advised reporters after the sport.
Whereas the heartbreak was palpable for the Pacers, it didn’t cease head coach Rick Carlisle from going over to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to congratulate him.
Video captured confirmed the second that Gilgeous-Alexander was strolling by way of the again of the sector with the Larry O’Brien Trophy when Carlisle stopped him to dap him up and congratulate the Thunder star on his championship.
The championship is the primary for the Thunder since they relocated to Oklahoma Metropolis in 2008.
