Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton discusses painful two-month shingles battle behind recent appearance change

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Apr 13, 2026 6:00 PM ET

Fans who were poking fun at Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton for apparent weight gain should cut him a break. He's battling a painful medical problem.

Social media users noticed Haliburton (who was listed at 6-foot-5, 185 pounds last season) looked heavier while giving a speech during the Pacers' 133-121 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Some ribbed him for it.

Haliburton, however, can't help it. The guard revealed Monday he has gained weight because of a battle with shingles, which he's been suffering from since February.

Tyrese Haliburton details battle with shingles

"I've lost part of my eyebrow. My eye is swollen from itching it," Haliburton told the media. "I have good days and bad days, but for the most part, it's been bad days, it has not been any fun.

Tyrese Haliburton says he's been having a “miserable” battle with shingles

Hali says he’s gained weight, lost part of his eyebrow, and has been dealing with nerve pain for two months

(via @Pacers) pic.twitter.com/ypP53FMNSR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2026

To treat the condition, Haliburton has been taking "unbelievable amounts of medication," but that hasn't worked.

"Hopefully, it goes away here soon," he said. "I've been having nerve pain for two months, and in the world of nerve pain for people who have had that before, it's not very long. So, I hope it goes away soon, but there's no way to really know."

Haliburton's condition has improved enough that he has begun spending time with the team again, which is a positive sign. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle revealed on Feb. 22 that the guard had contracted the virus and would be away from the squad until his health improved.

Shingles hasn't slowed Haliburton's rehab from a right Achilles tear suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. On April 8, he wrote on X that he had played five-on-five for the first time since June.

Played 5 on 5 today for first time since June
— Tyrese Haliburton (@Hali) April 8, 2026

That's great news for the Pacers, who missed two-time All-Star Haliburton dearly this season. Indiana went a franchise-worst 19-63 this season. The Washington Wizards were the only team that had a worse record (17-65).

Shingles appears to be the last roadblock to Haliburton's return. The team and guard will be elated when he's 100%. The condition sounds like a nightmare for the 26-year-old sharpshooter.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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