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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 19: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers is defended by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in Game Six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Indiana Pacers have played the entire season without Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. After doing that, he knew he was going to miss the entire season. Indiana has been bad without him.

Without Haliburton, Indiana has the third-worst offense in the NBA. He clearly unlocks the offense in a way that no one else on the roster does. Even after winning on Sunday night, they still have the worst record in the league. That will help them in their pursuit of landing the top overall pick.

Haliburton had been making progress before getting hit with shingles. He recently gave fans an encouraging update on his progress.

Pacers Guard Tyrese Haliburton Will be Back to Work Soon Enough

While appearing on an NBA broadcast on Amazon Prime, Haliburton gave fans an encouraging update now that he is back on the bench, supporting his team.

“So right before All-Star, I was playing 4-on-4. After I got diagnosed with shingles, I kind of have not really done a ton. I just started lifting maybe two or three weeks ago. So, I’ll start in the next two weeks, getting back. As soon as the season ends, I’ll be right back to playing 5-on-5.”

Haliburton also mentioned that the summer is going to be key for him as his recovery continues.

“The summer is just really instrumental to be playing a lot of 5-on-5. Going to Butler or IU or Purdue or something and playing with those guys, just to have some shake dummies prepared to prepare me for the year.”

Haliburton has been very hard at work all year long. He wants to make sure that he can return next season fully healthy to help the team make another run at the Finals. That is the most important thing that he can do at this point in the year.

Tyrese Haliburton is Hoping to Have a Superstar Addition to the Roster

This lost season for the Pacers could turn into a long-term gold mine for them. If they are able to land the top pick for the first time in franchise history, that would give them another superstar to pair with Haliburton for the what should be the prime of his career.

Not just that, but adding one of the best players in the draft would make them true threats to win it all next year. Trading for Ivica Zubac helped fill the biggest hole on the roster. Keeping their pick will only happen if it falls in the 1-4 range. That is what the team is working towards this year.

Indiana only has a few games left in the season. After winning two of their past three games, there is a very good chance that they sit most of their starters for the next few games to make sure they don’t pick up anymore wins. Losing is the best form of winning they can do for the future.

Haliburton is hoping to have a lot more winning in his future when he returns.

Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA and College Football 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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