Tyrese Haliburton Gives Hopeful Update on Achilles, Shingles Recovery

Tyrese Haliburton Gives Hopeful Update on Achilles, Shingles Recovery

Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers' star guard, has given a hopeful update on his Achilles and shingles recovery, stating he feels great and is closing in on a return to the court.

What happened?

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Haliburton shared his most encouraging update to date, with a few months left before NBA teams open training camp in late September. He expressed his gratitude for the progress he's made, saying, "I feel great. I feel great." Haliburton's recovery has been a long and arduous process, with the Pacers star guard tearing his right Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Why it matters for Tyrese Haliburton

Haliburton's return to the court is crucial for the Pacers, who finished 19-63 without their floor general in the 2025-26 season. The team had to shift their focus to tanking, resulting in the worst record in team history. With Haliburton's expected return, the Pacers could have their All-Star point guard back to begin the 2026-27 season.

What comes next?

Haliburton's update has given fans hope for his return, but he stopped short of saying he's completely past every hurdle. He acknowledged that he still has some lingering effects from shingles, but he's encouraged by the progress he's made. "I'd be lying if I said all the shingles is gone," he said. "I still have some nerve stuff going on in my eye sometimes where I'm really itching my eye. But for the most part, everything else is gone."

Haliburton's rehab came with an unfortunate development in February when he developed shingles on his face. The infection caused severe swelling around one of his eyes and sidelined his recovery for roughly eight weeks. He also shared that the medications used during treatment caused him to gain weight, which he has since lost while working his way back into basketball shape.

The road to recovery

Haliburton's update has given fans a glimmer of hope for his return to the court. With a few months left before training camp, Haliburton is closing in on a return. If that progress continues into training camp, the Pacers could have their All-Star point guard back to begin the 2026-27 season. The two-time All-Star owns career averages of 17.5 points and 8.8 assists and remains the centerpiece of Indiana's offense whenever he returns.

A lighthearted moment

Haliburton also shared an update on his lighthearted attempt to recruit LeBron James to Indiana. He revealed that he texted James before Fanatics Fest to pitch the idea of joining forces in Indiana, only to receive six laughing-crying emojis in response. "It's not looking good," Haliburton joked.

Conclusion

Tyrese Haliburton's update has given fans hope for his return to the court. With a few months left before training camp, Haliburton is closing in on a return. The Pacers could have their All-Star point guard back to begin the 2026-27 season, and fans are eagerly awaiting his return.