Tatum on his Achilles group chat w/ Lillard, Haliburton: “We all truly understand what each other are going through … we all can put ourselves in each other’s shoes.”
“The brotherhood … truly rooting for each other … I think thats special.” pic.twitter.com/2WPQ2QjXK2
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) September 29, 2025
During a recent interview with Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, he shared fascinating details about a group chat he has with other NBA players.
Last season, in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pacers star suffered a torn right Achilles tendon. It was a devastating blow and made it difficult for Indiana to have enough gas left in the tank to then finish the job against Oklahoma City.
Fortunately, however, he is seeking support in whatever capacity he is able to find it. Unfortunately, that means seeking counsel from others who are going through something similar like Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard. Together, as Tatum described earlier this offseason, they are in a group chat.
“Checking in on each other is important,” Haliburton explained. “Everybody is in different phases. Some guys are ahead. I’m obviously the farthest behind. So we’re checking in on each other. It’s almost like Facebook sometimes where moms will share pictures of their kids doing something for the first time, and people will get excited for them. I’m sending a video of what I’m doing and guys will send me videos of what they’re doing.”
According to Haliburton, the other two most active participants in the group chat are Tatum and New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray.
“Dejounte Murray and Jayson Tatum are the two guys that I talk to mainly. But it’s important because you’re chasing something,” Haliburton said. “I text Jayson little questions like, yo, how long do I have to sleep with this boot on, bro? When did you get this off? How are you feeling running for the first time? Did it feel weird? Am I weird for feeling a certain type of way when I’m doing something?”
Haliburton and Tatum were teammates that won a gold medal for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Past generations of players who have recovered from Achilles injuries, like Kevin Durant, have spoken to them. He knows this could eventually help future generations of NBA players if they suffer from similarly brutal injuries.
Haliburton, Murray, and Lillard all player the same position so may have similar benchmarks in their recovery.
“Kevin Durant says he is the Achilles guy because he is one of the first ones in our league to come back from it right back to who he was,” Haliburton said. “Now, we’re going to be the Achilles guys where guys are hitting us up about it.”
For each player in the group chat, there is a part of the injury that is most difficult for them to process. But he has found solace in that community.
“I think it’s important because everybody is going through it in a different way. Everybody grieves differently. For Jayson, he talked about the mental hurdle of knowing if he was ever going to get back to who he was. For me, my grief wasn’t so much about that, because I wasn’t concerned about that. I grieved Game 7. I grieve not winning a championship. It’s a little different. So everybody’s grief is a little different. It’s important to talk about. It takes a village to get through anything. “