Tyrese Haliburton will have a long road back to the basketball court after his Achilles tear in Game 7 of the NBA Finals — but he won’t be alone.
Haliburton’s girlfriend, Jade Jones, will be there with him “every step of the way,” as she posted to her Instagram story Monday evening.
The caption accompanied a heartbreaking photo where Jones is comforting Haliburton, crushed after his injury, while his face is in his hands
“A run we will remember for a lifetime,” she added. “You are so amazing!”
In just seven minutes of Game 7 against the Thunder, Haliburton managed to score nine points before an injury struck as he attempted a basket drive.
The Pacers struggled without their star point guard, primarily in the second half, and wound up falling 103-91 to the Thunder in Oklahoma City.
It was a grueling ending to what was otherwise a fabled playoff run for Haliburton and Indiana.
“What a year!!! What a bittersweet ending to it all,” Jones shared on her Instagram account. “This team is incredibly special, words can’t express it. You’ve created a legendary journey for the Pacers, one that will be remembered for generations. This season has left a profound impact on my heart. It’s one of the most remarkable experiences we’ve ever been a part of!!! Just know the value it holds for all of us.”
At 25 years old, he nailed four critical shots during the Pacers’ impressive journey, bringing them just one victory away from clinching a title — an achievement yet to be realized in Indiana’s franchise history.
While they didn’t quite get the ultimate job done, Jones knows that she and Pacers fans will never forget the run to the Pacers’ first Finals appearance since 2000.
“The smile you have put on people’s faces, the joy & excitement you have brought to this city. You have been nothing short of amazing,” she also wrote in her Instagram post. “You are so selfless, brave, and strong! We have the best support system around us who will pull you through this! I will always be your biggest cheerleader. I will forever be so proud of you!! Our team’s got you. We will be back, we’re not finished yet! Gods plan, Gods timing. My superstar, I love you.”
“I love you both,” fellow Indiana star Caitlin Clark commented. “So much to be proud of !!!!”
Jones finished off the post with a hashtag reading “Overrate that” in response to Haliburton being voted by his peers as the NBA’s most overrated player in April.
