The “what if” talk came back to life after Tyrese Haliburton admitted he believes the Pacers would have beaten the Thunder in Game 7 if he never got hurt. Once that quote hit timelines, NBA Fans jumped straight into debate mode, arguing about momentum, shot-making, and how different that night could have looked.
The spark came from @LegionHoops, who shared: “Tyrese Maxey on Game 7: ‘Hali, do y’all win if you don’t get hurt? 100%?’ Tyrese Haliburton: ‘Of course.’” That answer made NBA Fans react fast. Some agreed with him. Others said the game was already slipping away before the injury.
One fan, @YeahYeahOkBro, posted, “He started hot. Hard to believe we don’t win that,” echoing what many Pacers supporters felt.
Tyrese Maxey on Game 7: “Hali, do y’all win if you don’t get hurt? 100%?”
Tyrese Haliburton: “Of course.”
(via @OffBall_News, @WhatsApp) pic.twitter.com/0gH7GYLlAE
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 13, 2025
Haliburton set the tone early, and NBA Fans remember how confident Indiana looked in those opening minutes. But not everyone agreed with the idea that his presence alone would have changed everything.
@HankL2 replied, “And yet despite his hot start, were still losing when he went down.”
This back-and-forth shows how NBA Fans treat these moments like puzzles with a thousand missing pieces. What happened on the court isn’t just about scoring or pace; it’s about timing, rhythm, and keeping pressure on a young OKC team playing at home.
OKC found its flow as the game went on, and NBA Fans know that Game 7 in a loud arena can shift fast. Still, Haliburton’s absence changed the shape of the night. He’s the head of the Pacers’ offense, the one who controls how they move and when they push. NBA Fans saw the drop-off once he exited, and that’s why the “what if” talk refuses to die.
Whether Indiana actually wins or not will never be settled. But NBA Fans enjoy arguing about alternate endings, especially when a star goes down in the biggest moment of the season.
NBA Fans Mourn Lost Classic As Haliburton’s Injury Leaves Game 7 Debate Wide Open
Even after the main discussion faded, NBA Fans kept revisiting one idea: they were robbed of a complete Game 7. The injury cut the tension in half, turning a tight matchup into another story of bad timing. Many fans wanted to see the full version of that battle, not a version shaped by who wasn’t on the court.
@AlexGoldenNBA summed up that feeling: “You all know I agree with Haliburton on this, but taking the blue and gold colored glasses off, I’m just really sad we didn’t get to see this game play out with a fully healthy Tyrese.”
You all know I agree with Haliburton on this, but taking the blue and gold colored glasses off, I’m just really sad we didn’t get to see this game play out with a fully healthy Tyrese.
This series was iconic, and this game 7 had the makings of a terrific finale to one of the… https://t.co/QYzUJo5b4C
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) November 13, 2025
NBA Fans echoed the same sentiment, saying the night could have been one of the best games of the whole postseason if both sides stayed intact.
Another fan, @BeardIU21, put it simply: “Tragedy game 7 was derailed.”
The disappointment wasn’t about who won or lost. It was about how NBA Fans expected a close finish, only for the storyline to change before halftime.
Of course, not everyone believed the game would swing Indiana’s way. @Jasey_35 wrote, “Indiana still doesn’t win lol. OKC would eventually go on their runs and win. They are at home.” And many NBA Fans backed that view, pointing out how strong Oklahoma City has been at home all year and how quickly they can flip a slow start into a big lead.
The mix of frustration and debate shows how much NBA Fans value the drama of a complete Game 7. They know these nights don’t come often, and losing one to an injury changes everything. Even if opinions differ on who would have won, NBA Fans agree on one thing: a healthy Haliburton would’ve given the night a different edge, and that alone keeps the conversation alive.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
