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The Indiana Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals last year came to a screeching halt when the team lost Tyrese Haliburton with a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season as he watched Indiana win just 19 games and fall to 14th in the Eastern Conference. But as he prepares to play in 2026-27, Haliburton admitted it’s not the physical injury that worries him next year.
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton shoots on the court before an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Indianapolis on April 7, 2026. (Doug McSchooler/AP)
It’s a disease he’s fighting against.
He said Monday that he suffered from shingles, which caused him to gain weight, lose part of his right eyebrow and require him to wear glasses to avoid scratching his swollen eye.
“First of all, I would tell anyone over 50 to get vaccinated,” Haliburton said. “It’s been miserable. I’ve had good days and bad days, but for the most part they’ve been bad days.
“I took incredible amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It didn’t work. It wasn’t fun and I hope it goes away soon. It’s hard to say with nerve pain, but I’ve had nerve pain for two months now and in the world of nerve pain that’s not very long. I hope it goes away soon.”
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after being injured during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on June 22, 2025. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 1 in 3 Americans suffer from shingles. The condition, if severe enough, can cause vision loss and nerve pain.
Haliburton said he is following a recovery schedule similar to that of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who also suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the playoffs last year. Tatum returned to the Celtics in March and provided the boost Boston needed to be considered a championship contender.
Haliburton said he has “no concerns” about returning to fitness once he stops taking his medication.
“I’m out of shape like crazy, like I’ve never been before,” Haliburton said. “I’ve changed medications several times. I had a Botox injection that I thought would help, but it didn’t really help. I’ve done everything, it hasn’t worked yet. But I’m confident it will go away soon.”
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton plays in the second half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 29, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
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The Pacers will likely have the first lottery pick in the draft. Adding another young superstar to the Haliburton-led team would be a blessing in disguise for Indiana as they look to return to the top of the conference next season.
