Tyrese Haliburton has become one of the NBA’s most engaging young stars, but the Indiana Pacers point guard saw his career reach a new level in 2024-25. He led the franchise back to the NBA Finals for the first time in over 20 years, cementing his status as a franchise cornerstone.
However, that magical run ended in disaster when Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon just minutes into Game 7 of the Finals. With the 2025-26 season well underway and the Pacers struggling without him, the All-Star guard recently shared a significant update on his rehabilitation.
What Did Tyrese Haliburton Reveal About His Recovery?
While speaking on the latest edition of Amazon Prime Video’s “NBA Nightcap,” Haliburton provided an encouraging timeline. He said, “Things have been going really well. Hopefully the goal is by the end of the month that I can start playing one-on-one.”
The Pacers previously announced that Haliburton would miss the entire season while recovering from the injury. However, his positive comments might cause some fans to wonder if a return could have been possible had the team managed another deep playoff run.
That scenario seems unlikely given the current standings. Indiana sits 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 6-18 record. Beyond Haliburton’s absence, the roster is also adjusting to the shocking departure of center Myles Turner, who left after 10 seasons to sign with the rival Milwaukee Bucks.
Without their floor general, the Pacers’ offense has suffered a significant decline. The team ranks 29th in the NBA in scoring, averaging 111.3 points per game after ranking seventh last season. Their efficiency has also dropped, falling to 28th in offensive rating (108.6) compared to ninth a year ago. Unsurprisingly, the team that ranked third in assists last season now sits last in the league.
On this edition of The Sideline Guys powered by Gainbridge, Jeremiah Johnson and Pat Boylan break down the team’s defensive turnaround and discuss a key stretch of schedule ahead.
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Despite the struggles, the Pacers still rank in the NBA’s top 10 in pace, showing that head coach Rick Carlisle hasn’t completely abandoned his system; it simply operates less effectively without Haliburton. Andrew Nembhard has stepped up in an increased role, averaging career highs of 17.9 points and 6.6 assists per game, but replicating Haliburton’s production is a massive ask.
If the Pacers finish the season with one of the league’s worst records, it will only strengthen the argument that Haliburton is among the NBA’s most valuable players.