Indiana Pacers fans would like to put Game 7 of the NBA Finals behind them. Unfortunately, the opening seconds of the new season of the [Netflix documentary _Starting 5_](https://www.netflix.com/title/81720808) forces everyone to relive the painful moments where Tyrese Haliburton and the hopes and dreams of Pacers fans collapsed to the ground.
Season 1 of _Starting 5_ was a hit success for Netflix, following five NBA stars during the 2023-24 NBA season. Netflix brought it back for a second season, and something Pacers fans are not used to happened: a Pacer was chosen as one of the NBA's biggest stars.
It was a prescient decision for Netflix, as Haliburton became the story of the NBA postseason. He turned around a slow start to the season and led Indiana into the postseason on a hot streak. That continued in a major way int he actual playoffs, with Haliburton turning into a superhero and hitting multiple game-winning shots as the pacers pulled off magical wins mixed in with dominant two-way performances to knock off the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson en route to the NBA Finals.
Even facing the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pacers went toe-to-toe, forcing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. It was certainly catnip to the Netflix crew following Haliburton (and his foil on the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) around. And then Game 7 happened.
Haliburton's worst moments were on camera
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Haliburton started out hot, hitting multiple shots to inject hope and joy directly into the veins of Pacers fans, both present at the arena and at home. And then it happened: Haliburton planted his foot, the telltale ripple passed over his calf, and he collapsed in pain and anguish. His face displayed not physical pain but soul-level agony. He knew what had happened. He knew the risks of playing with an injured calf. He gave his all to the Pacers and came ever-so-close to the prize.
The cameras captured Haliburton as he beat the court in anguish. They kept rolling as Haliburton was carried through the vomitorium and into the locker room. They kept rolling as he sobbed on the trainer's table. As his foot was wrapped in ice to limit the swelling. As he watched his teammates and brothers through red-rimmed eyes battle the Thunder and try to win without their captain.
The Pacers fell short. Haliburton fell short. And _Starting 5_ caught every emotional moment on camera and ran the footage to start the documentary. It was a compelling sequence -- and a brutal one for the Pacers and their fans to relive.
The Pacers have certainly seen their fair share of disappointing moments over the years, from the best of the Reggie Miller teams falling short to Paul George's broken leg. The worst moment by far was Haliburton tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. And as much as Pacers fans want to move on, it's not time quite yet.