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WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – DECEMBER 06: Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the first half between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Iowa State Cyclones at Mackey Arena on December 06, 2025 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers have floundered without Tyrese Haliburton in the lineup this season. He has missed all year with a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered in Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals. Almost immediately, Indiana ruled him out for the entire 2025-26 season.
Without Haliburton in the lineup, the Pacers have the worst offense in the league. His ability to create shots for others, as well as spread the floor at any moment, has been desperately missed this year. This has become a gap year for Indiana. They have the second-worst record in the league.
Despite how poorly this season has gone, Haliburton has been making progress from his injury. he has released another video update on his rehab that has given fans some excitement.
GettyIndiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton dribbles the ball. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Shows off Latest Injury Progress
Haliburton released another video documenting the progress he has made with his rehab in the last few weeks. In this video, Haliburton shows how he looks playing against other people in scrimmages. His ability to cut and take step-back shots has greatly improved.
Dunking the ball has become a little easier for Haliburton, as well. His handle has become smoother now that he can move a little better, as well. His shot looks just as good as it was last season when he was fully healthy. Overall, this is an update that fans are excited about.
Indiana also seems to like the progress that he has made based on the moves they made at the trade deadline. The Pacers made the decision to trade for Ivica Zubac to get Haliburton a center that he can work with for years to come. Zubac can give them a post presence that they haven’t had in a while.
GettyIndiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrates. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers Will Likely Tank for the Rest of the Season
While the Pacers were able to land Zubac, they did so at a cost. They included their 2026 first-round draft pick, which will head to the Clippers if it falls in the 5-9 range. That means that Indiana will likely try to tank for the rest of the season.
Landing a top-four pick is essential for this group as they head into next season. Using that pick to replace Mathurin’s role on the roster is what they are hoping to do. The Pacers haven’t had a top-four pick since 1988, when they drafted Rik Smits second overall.
Indiana has never had the number-one overall pick, which would certainly give them another superstar to pair with Haliburton. Trading for Zubac was an eye towards Haliburton being 100 percent healthy next year, so they have another opportunity to contend for a title.
As long as Haliburton doesn’t suffer a setback in the next few months, the progress he is making is exciting. He should be a top ten player in the NBA once again once he returns to the lineup on opening day next season.
Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano
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