Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) is assisted after an apparent injury following a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Gets Honest About Recovery From Achilles Injury

Originally posted on Indianapolis Pacers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Aug 16, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Indiana Pacers had the worst injury they could have had during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Just seven minutes in, Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles.

That ended any chance that the Pacers had of winning that game, and the title. It also takes Haliburton out for all of next year since it happened on the last possible day of the NBA season.

Haliburton has been slowly recovering from his injury as best as he can. He's attacking rehab every single day, and talked about his recovery recently.

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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton talks about his recovery from his devastating injury

While at his youth basketball camp in Wisconsin, Haliburton revealed that he is walking without a scooter or crutches and will soon be walking in shoes, as well. He also talked about last season's journey to the Finals.

#Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton spoke to local Wisconsin media during his youth basketball camp at Oshkosh North about his Achilles recovery.

Haliburton is able to walk in a boot without a scooter or crutches. In the next couple weeks, he's expecting to be walking with shoes. pic.twitter.com/8an9YrhlQF
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) August 15, 2025

"I have good days and bad days. I think when you look back at the year that was, and how special it was, it means a lot for me. I had a lot of fun and got to grow myself as a player and a person every day."

Haliburton acknowledged that this injury takes a year to recover from, so he is just taking things day by day. He knows that there are small victories that take a while, so he's trying to be patient.

It sounded like Haliburton has no inclination to try to return at all next year, nor should he. He needs to be at 100 percent before he returns to the court.

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Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is trying to stay positive in his recovery journey

Haliburton is doing the best he can to stay positive throughout this process. He seemed genuinely happy about the fact that he is able to walk without the use of crutches or a scooter.

The Pacers are going to struggle to replicate what Haliburton brings to the table next year. It's impossible to replace him, but the best they can do is replace his production.

This past season, Haliburton averaged 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game. He shot 47.3 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.