Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Updates Injury, Details Support From Jayson Tatum

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has shared an update on his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that occurred during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation. He reported steady progress, describing feeling like he is in "pre-draft mode" with improvements in shooting, stationary passing with his left hand, ball handling, and overall game reads, despite being ruled out for the 2025-26 season.

Haliburton highlighted the mental aspect of his recovery, crediting Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum for helping him stay upbeat through regular conversations. Tatum, who suffered a similar injury earlier, serves as a real-time example, with their friendship stemming from their time together on Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, evolving into a supportive recovery partnership.

In addition to Tatum, Haliburton is part of a group chat with other players like Damian Lillard and Dejounte Murray who have faced Achilles injuries, allowing them to check in on each other's progress and share experiences in different phases of recovery. This support system, along with his sense of humor, has helped him stay grounded, and he has also been supporting longtime friend Caitlin Clark in her own injury recovery in the WNBA.

Currently, Haliburton is actively engaged in rehab, including jumping, running, and various workouts, and he teased that he is "not far off" from a full return. He has documented the process with his videographer, Zachery Remy, and plans to share updates at the right time, building on his pre-injury performance where he averaged 17.3 points and 8.6 assists per game in the 2025 postseason.

Haliburton's recovery journey has transcended personal progress, becoming a shared blueprint for athletes navigating similar setbacks. It emphasizes building community, finding purpose in the process, and redefining leadership through resilience, rather than just focusing on returning to play.