The Indiana Pacers just can’t seem to catch a break.
A year ago, they were knocking on the door of their first-ever NBA championship. They had momentum, chemistry, and a rising superstar in Tyrese Haliburton leading the charge. But everything unraveled in the worst way possible-Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Haliburton goes down with a torn Achilles in the opening quarter, and with that, the Pacers’ title hopes vanished.
Fast forward to this season, and the fallout from that moment is still being felt in Indiana. Haliburton remains sidelined, grinding through rehab, and without him, the Pacers have struggled to find their footing. Sunday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors was another reminder of just how rough this season has been.
Midway through the third quarter, another gut-punch: Johnny Furphy, the promising 21-year-old wing who’s been one of the few bright spots this year, went down hard while attempting a dunk. He immediately grabbed at his right knee, clearly in pain. The scene was tough to watch-Haliburton and head coach Rick Carlisle both looked visibly shaken as Furphy was helped to the bench, then wheeled to the locker room.
The Pacers have said they’ll release more information once Furphy undergoes a full medical evaluation, but the initial visuals didn’t inspire confidence. And for a team already dealing with a mountain of adversity, it’s another brutal blow.
Indiana would go on to lose the game 122-104, their fourth straight defeat, dropping them to 13-40 on the season. The losses are piling up, but more concerning is the growing list of injuries and the emotional toll it’s taking on a team that once looked poised to break through.
As for Haliburton, he’s stayed locked in on his recovery. He recently spoke with NBA on Prime and offered a hopeful update: “Obviously, the goal is to keep attacking my rehab and reach a point where I can return by the end of the season. But I feel really good right now-mentally and physically, I’m in a great place.”
That’s encouraging to hear, but the Pacers are taking the long view. Team executives have indicated that Haliburton is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season, and there’s no push to accelerate that timeline. They’re protecting their franchise cornerstone, as they should.
Right now, though, all eyes are on Furphy. The Pacers are hoping for the best, but it’s clear-this season has tested the resilience of everyone in that locker room.