The Indiana Pacers came up a game short of winning the NBA Finals for the first time in their franchise history, as they suffered a 103-91 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 on Sunday night. After the game, Obi Toppin placed the blame for the defeat on himself, citing his inability to get over Tyrese Haliburton being forced out of the game with an Achilles injury after just seven minutes.

Haliburton, who was playing through a calf strain, crumpled to the ground in serious pain midway through the first quarter, dealing Indiana a shock to their core that they ultimately proved to be unable to overcome. Toppin admitted that it was tough for him to move past seeing his teammate go down like that, and that it had a negative impact on his performance throughout the rest of the game.

“We needed Ty out there,” Toppin said after the game. “He's been good for us all year, and for him to go down, beginning a game like that, that s*** sucked the soul out of us … I don't feel like I played good because I was thinking about it the whole day and I felt like it was my fault.”

Article Continues Below
More Indiana Pacers News
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) is assisted after an apparent injury following a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Shams confirms Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tear in NBA Finals Game 7Zachary Weinberger ·
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) is assisted after an apparent injury following a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Pacers rumors: Will Indiana still be willing to pay luxury tax after Tyrese Haliburton injury?Preston Byers ·
Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts after suffering an injury during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Bill Simmons disses Thunder with reaction to Tyrese Haliburton injuryPreston Byers ·
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) looks to shoot while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) defends during the first half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
What Myles Turner is going to ‘miss’ after heartbreaking end to Pacers’ Finals runTroy Finnegan ·
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) is checked on after an apparent injury following a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton teammate who carried him off the floor sounds off on injuryZachary Weinberger ·
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered an injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which Ben Stiller reacted to, shooting against the New York Knicks.
Knicks fan Ben Stiller sends Tyrese Haliburton message after injury, Pacers’ NBA Finals lossAndrew Korpan ·

Obi Toppin, Pacers looking to turn the page after coming up just short vs. Thunder

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of game six of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

With a championship on the line, Toppin certainly didn't have his best game, as he failed to score a point, missing all four of his shots, while hauling in a pair of rebounds and dishing out an assist. Ultimately, though, you win as a team and lose as a team, so while Toppin didn't play particularly well, the loss can't fall solely on his shoulders.

It was always going to be tough for Indiana to overcome losing their best player moments into the game, and they fought valiantly the rest of the way. The Thunder proved to be too much to handle, though, and it resulted in a crushing defeat for Indiana. Now, they will head into an offseason full of questions, with all eyes on Haliburton as fans wait to find out the severity of his injury.