Source: Alamy Stock Photo

NBA Star to Miss Entire Season

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton will miss the entire upcoming NBA season after undergoing surgery on his right Achilles tendon, following an injury sustained during the recently concluded Finals series.

Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard confirmed the news during a press conference, stating: “I have no doubt he’ll come back stronger. The surgery went well, but he won’t play next season. We don’t want to take any risks. This gives other players a chance to develop.”

Haliburton becomes the third player to suffer an Achilles tendon tear during last season’s playoffs, following Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).

The injury undoubtedly marks a significant setback in his career, although many players have returned to elite form after extensive rehabilitation—most notably Kevin Durant, who recently joined the Houston Rockets. Durant missed the entire 2019–2020 season after tearing his Achilles in the 2019 Finals and made his return in December 2020 after an 18-month recovery, regaining top form.

Banchero Extension & New Coach for the Knicks

Meanwhile, Paolo Banchero has agreed to a five-year maximum contract extension with the Orlando Magic, the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed, worth up to $239 million.

According to American media reports, the deal for the 22-year-old—who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft—could increase to $287 million based on performance incentives.

The Italian-American forward could boost his salary further if he’s named league MVP or Defensive Player of the Year in the upcoming season.

Banchero suffered an abdominal muscle tear that sidelined him for two months during the 2024–2025 season, yet he still posted career-high averages of 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.

With this extension, the Magic have secured the core of their roster—Banchero, German forward Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs—on five-year deals. Orlando also holds Desmond Bane’s contract through the 2028–2029 season, acquired last month in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Banchero, the 2023 Rookie of the Year, holds career averages of 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists over three seasons with the Magic.

In other news, the New York Knicks have appointed Mike Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year, as their new head coach.

Brown, 55, has compiled a coaching record of 454 wins and 304 losses with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings. He was dismissed by the Kings in December after a disappointing start to the season, posting a 13–18 record.

Knicks President Leon Rose said, “After a thorough and comprehensive search, we are thrilled to announce the hiring of Mike Brown as head coach of the New York Knicks.”

He added, “Mike has coached on the biggest stages in our sport and brings a championship pedigree to our organization. His experience leading a team in the NBA Finals, winning four titles as an assistant coach, and his ability to develop players will be instrumental in our goal of bringing a championship to New York for our fans.”

The Knicks haven’t won an NBA title since 1973. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals this year for the first time since 2000 but fell to the Indiana Pacers.

For fans tracking every twist of the NBA offseason—from Haliburton’s injury to Banchero’s record extension—Betway stands out as the best online betting site in Saudi Arabia, offering top odds and a seamless experience for basketball enthusiasts.

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