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Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers warms up before playing the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Tyrese Haliburton continues to make progress in recovering from his torn right Achilles. Since suffering the injury in mid-June, the Indiana Pacers star guard provided an update on how things have been going for him.
Haliburton suffered the severe injury during the first quarter of Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. It will keep him out for the entirety of the 2025-26 season as Indiana will want to take care of him as much as possible for him to be ready for the year after.
Haliburton did a press conference with reporters during one of his training camp events with aspiring young players on Saturday. He revealed he is out of the boot as he is taking steps to regain all the power in his right leg since suffering the injury.
“I’m walking now in my boot,” Haliburton told reporters, via Tony East. “Getting closer to walking full time in my shoe. So, that’s exciting for me. It’s kind of like a new benchmark, a new achievement for me… Just being able to walk, it’s like the small wins right now. Just taking it a day at a time. I have good days, bad days.
“Yeah, things are going well… Same treatment, same stuff everyday. But, falling in love with the grind of that. Just trying to get as well as I can as fast as I can.”
Tyrese Haliburton status update. He says he has no timetable for himself when it comes to a return. pic.twitter.com/IGcohYra2O
— Tony East (@TonyREast) August 23, 2025
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What Lies Ahead For Tyrese Haliburton & Pacers
GettyTyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers reacts during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 16, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
It’s a great step of progress for Tyrese Haliburton, having the determination to return to his star form for the Pacers when he fully recovers from the Achilles injury.
Haliburton had a great regular season, averaging 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game after 73 appearances. He shot 47.3% from the field, including 38.8% from beyond the arc, and 85.1% from the free-throw line.
Haliburton elevated in the playoffs, pulling off game-winning plays in every series he took part in. He produced 17.3 points, 8.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game throughout the postseason. He shot 46.3% overall, including 34% from downtown, and 82.8% from the charity stripe.
His run was inspiring, nearly leading the Pacers to their first-ever NBA title in franchise history. Even though the Achilles tear ended his run in an abrupt manner, it doesn’t take away the awe-inspiring moments he created throughout the playoffs.
Indiana will have to navigate the 2025-26 season without Haliburton. They do have T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard to step up in their star teammate’s place, remaining secure in the backcourt. However, the team saw its frontcourt depth take a hit after Myles Turner left for the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason.
The Pacers still have the overall talent to be a playoff squad. However, the championship aspirations they had would have to be on hold until Haliburton takes his first step back on the court for the 2026-27 season.
Richard Pereira Richard Pereira joined Heavy Sports in May 2025 as a Sports Writer. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school’s athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men’s basketball team’s journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist. More about Richard Pereira
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