Tyrese Haliburton’s Injury Reminds Us That Sports Can Be Cruel…And That’s OK

Ask any sports fan why they watch their favorite teams, and they'll tell you it's all about emotions. Nothing beats the 'high' of winning a huge game. And then there are the 'lows' of losing and waiting until next year. Sports are an allegory for life: the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations. And sometimes those lows can get pretty low.

Like many casual NBA fans, this year's Finals had caught my attention due to the outstanding play from Iowa State Cyclone star Tyrese Haliburton. He had led the small-town Indiana Pacers all the way to the NBA Finals. He had overcome a nagging calf injury and had returned to lead Indiana to a winner-take-all game seven of the NBA Finals. Sure, the Oklahoma City Thunder were at home and heavy favorites. But another reason we love sports? The underdog! Haliburton was off to a hot start in game seven, hitting 3 of 4 three-point shots. But then we got a lesson in the cruelty of sports.

Just like that, Haliburton was done. For the game, for the series, and likely most of next season too. His father later confirmed that Tyrese had suffered an Achilles injury. Celtics star Jason Tatum had suffered a similar injury earlier in the playoffs. Haliburton's magical playoff ride had come to an end. Indiana would hang tough for most of the game, but lose game seven and the NBA Championship to the Thunder 103-91.

As I sat watching all of this unfold last night, my heart sank in my chest. We were rooting for Hali and the Pacers. They represented not only the state of Iowa but the underappreciated Midwest. They were a scrappy group of players who never gave up. When they were rolling, they were fun to watch, led by Haliburton, who was on one of the greatest playoff runs in history. But then life reminded us that part of the reason we love sports so much is the heartbreak.

Think about some of your most vivid sports memories. I'm guessing many of them aren't game-winning shots or field goals. Many are the ones that hurt so bad that they stay with you. That's why sports are just like life. Some of your most important core memories also probably involve heartbreak and loss. But experiencing that pain makes the next part so much more enjoyable. The comeback. Redemption.

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Tyrese Haliburton faces surgery and months of painful rehab on his torn Achilles. But make no mistake, he will be back. He will be strong and focused. It will make him a stronger person, a better leader, and hopefully an even better basketball player. And fans like me, who experienced sadness on a Sunday night in June, will return to sports to experience his return. We will applaud his efforts and cheer louder than ever.

Yes, sports can be cruel. And so can life. The reward is picking yourself up off the court and deciding to stay in the game. Your championship is right around the corner.