Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from surgery on his right Achilles tendon, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Haliburton tore his right Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 22 and underwent surgery the following day. Any hope of a return during the 2025-26 campaign was shut down Monday, when Pacers president Kevin Pritchard stated plainly, "He will not play next year though. We would not jeopardize that now. So don't get any hopes up that he will play." Haliburton has cemented himself as the face of the franchise and played a key role in Indiana's run to the NBA Finals during the 2024-25 playoffs, averaging 17.3 points, 8.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 33.5 minutes across 23 postseason games. During the 2024-25 regular season, the 2020 first-round pick averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals over 73 appearances.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Set for Achilles surgery Monday
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Haliburton will travel to New York City on Monday and is expected to undergo surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon, sources tell Grant Afseth of RG.org.
The Pacers labeled the injury that forced Haliburton out in the first quarter of Sunday's 103-91 loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals as a right lower leg injury, though the point guard's father, John, told ESPN's Lisa Salters during the game broadcast that his son's injury was to his Achilles. Expect Indiana to provide a formal update on Haliburton's status once his surgery is completed, but given that the standard return timelines for Achilles surgeries typically range from 9-to-12 months, the 25-year-old appears in grave danger of missing the entire 2025-26 regular season, and potentially any postseason contests that may follow. Haliburton's injury represents a devastating development for what was an otherwise joyous postseason run for the Pacers, who entered the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and reached their first NBA Finals since 2000. With their star floor general headed for a long-term absence, however, the Pacers face the prospect of a non-contending "gap year" in 2025-26 that will force members of the supporting cast into bigger roles. Haliburton's absence could allow shooting guard Andrew Nembhard to see more time on the ball during the upcoming campaign, and like Nembhard, T.J. McConnell is under contract through 2027-28 and could see a notable uptick from the 17.4 minutes per game he averaged during the playoffs.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Suffers Achilles injury in Game 7
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Haliburton's father, John, told ESPN's Lisa Salters during the broadcast of the Pacers' 103-91 loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals that his son suffered a right Achilles injury during the first quarter of the contest, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports.
Haliburton, who had been playing through a strained right calf during the series, went down without taking contact while driving to the basket with 4:55 remaining in the opening quarter. The star point guard required assistance off the court and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest soon thereafter, with the Pacers labeling his injury as a right lower leg injury. Though the fear is that Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon that would likely keep him out for the entire 2025-26 season, the Pacers will send him for further diagnostic testing over the next few days before providing an update on the severity of his injury. Haliburton finished the Pacers' surprise postseason run with averages of 17.3 points, 8.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 three-pointers, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks in 33.5 minutes per game over his 23 appearances, but his potential Achilles tear tempers both his and his team's outlooks for the upcoming campaign.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Will not return to Game 7
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Haliburton (lower leg) will not return to Sunday's Game 7 against the Thunder, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Haliburton went down with a right lower leg injury in the first quarter and will not be able to return. It is a heartbreaking development for Haliburton, who came in dealing with a right calf strain he sustained in Game 5. He concludes the contest with nine points (3-5 FG, 3-4 3Pt) in just seven minutes. T.J. McConnell figures to step into a large role in his absence, while Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard could see extra minutes as well.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Goes down with leg injury
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Haliburton went to the locker room during Sunday's Game 7 against the Thunder due to an apparent right leg injury, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
Haliburton was helped to the locker room after being down on the court following an apparent right leg injury. He has been dealing with a right calf strain he suffered in Game 5, and the injury appears to be on the same leg. If he is unable to return, T.J. McConnell will likely see a major role, while Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard could get extra run as well.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Will play Game 7
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Haliburton (calf) has been cleared to play in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday against the Thunder.
Haliburton will continue playing through a calf strain with the season on the line Sunday. The talented guard is coming off a decent performance in Game 6 and is averaging 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game this series, shooting 44.7 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from deep.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Questionable for Game 7
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Haliburton (calf) is questionable for Sunday's Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder.
Haliburton played through his calf strain during Game 6 and performed well despite the injury, finishing with 14 points, one rebound, five assists and two steals across 23 minutes. If he's unable to play in Game 7, Indiana will likely turn to T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard to help shoulder the load in the backcourt.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Limited in Game 6 win
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Haliburton had 14 points (5-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, five assists and two steals across 23 minutes during Thursday's 108-91 win over the Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Haliburton played limited minutes Thursday, helped by the fact that the Pacers ran the Thunder out of the gym. This game was never really close, with both teams given the opportunity to rest their stars down the stretch. Despite continuing to deal with what has been reported as a somewhat serious calf injury, there is almost no way Haliburton won't be available for Game 7 on Sunday in Oklahoma City.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Cleared for Game 6
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Haliburton (calf) is available for Thursday's game against the Thunder, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports.
Haliburton was listed as questionable ahead of Thursday's game but will suit up as the Pacers aim to extend the series to a Game 7. Coach Rick Carlisle said the star will be monitored throughout the contest, though he won't be under any official minutes restriction.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Intends to play
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On the Pat McAfee Show Thursday, ESPN's Shams Charania said Haliburton (calf) has every intention to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Haliburton is currently listed as questionable, while coach Rick Carlisle has said multiple times that he will be a game-time call. Charania adds that the Pacers have a shootaround later this evening, at which point the medical staff will make a final decision -- Charania hinted that Haliburton may wear some padding on his calf.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Iffy for Game 6
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Haliburton (calf) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Thunder, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
Haliburton will do everything he can to be ready to play in Game 6. He did go through a light practice Wednesday, which is a promising sign. However, calf strains can be tricky injuries that can lead to a more severe lower leg injury if not properly managed. If Haliburton is ultimately ruled out, Indiana will likely turn to T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard to shoulder more of the workload in the backcourt.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Will be game-time call
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Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Wednesday that a decision on Haliburton's status isn't expected to be announced until Thursday afternoon or evening, Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports.
Essentially, Haliburton will be a game-time call. He underwent an MRI on Tuesday for what is being described as a strained right calf, but the results haven't been announced. However, Haliburton was participating in Wednesday's light practice, so that's seemingly a good sign.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Getting MRI for calf injury
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Haliburton is believed to have suffered a strained right calf during Monday's 120-109 loss to the Thunder in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Haliburton has been dealing with a right calf issue throughout the NBA Finals, but he's continued to play through the injury. However, after Haliburton was limited to just four points while shooting 0-for-6 from the field in 34 minutes Monday while also making a brief trip to the locker room, the calf problem looks like it could put his availability for Thursday's Game 6 in jeopardy. In the first five games of this series, Haliburton averaged 15.0 points, 7.2 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 35.8 minutes per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from deep.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Dealing with lower leg issue
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Haliburton provided four points (0-6 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds and six assists across 34 minutes during Monday's 120-109 loss to the Thunder in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. He battled a right lower leg injury during Monday's contest, though he said that he expects to play in Game 6 on Thursday, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
Haliburton shot 0-for-5 from the field in the first half, during which he briefly exited to the locker room for treatment on his lower leg. The star point guard dealt with a similar issue in Game 2 and was seen with a noticeable limp after Game 5. Haliburton and the Pacers will look to stave off elimination in Game 6 at home Thursday.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Briefly exits Monday
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Haliburton briefly exited to the locker room in the first quarter of Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals due to right lower leg tightness, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports. However, he returned with 8:27 remaining in the second quarter.
Haliburton checked out of Monday's game with 1:56 remaining in the opening quarter. He limped back to the locker room, though he has since returned. The star point guard will likely be able to handle his usual workload, but the lower leg tightness is worth monitoring the rest of the way.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Shines in Game 3 win
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Haliburton racked up 22 points (9-17 FG, 4-8 3Pt), nine rebounds, 11 assists, one block and two steals over 36 minutes during Wednesday's 116-107 win over the Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Somehow, Haliburton has yet to attempt a free throw in this series, but he continues to find success regardless. There was a lot of chatter about Haliburton's lower leg issue leading up to Game 3, but he put most of those concerns to bed by producing a clutch performance in 36 minutes to secure a 2-1 series lead for Indiana.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Will play in Game 3
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Haliburton is dealing with a lower leg issue but said he will play in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder on Wednesday, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports.
Haliburton scored 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter but had a noticeable limp after Game 2 on Sunday, which could be a concern for the Pacers as the NBA Finals shift to Indiana for two games. However, Haliburton was a full participant during Tuesday's practice, so barring a setback, he shouldn't face any restrictions. The point guard is averaging 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks through two games despite being the focal point of the Thunder's top-rated defense.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Excellent in series-clinching win
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Haliburton finished with 21 points (9-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, 13 assists, one block and three steals over 37 minutes during Saturday's 125-108 victory over the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Pacers needed Haliburton to be at his best Saturday, and the star floor general delivered an impressive showing by recording a double-double and surpassing the 20-point plateau. Haliburton posted a double-double in each of Indiana's four wins during the Eastern Conference Finals, and he will head into the NBA Finals on a solid run of form. He's surpassed the 20-point mark in five of his last seven contests, averaging 22.4 points, 10.1 assists and 6.0 boards per contest over that stretch.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Makes history in Game 4 win
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Haliburton amassed 32 points (11-23 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 15 assists, 12 rebounds and four steals across 38 minutes during Tuesday's 130-121 win over the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Haliburton became the first player in NBA playoff history to record at least 30 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds with zero turnovers. The 25-year-old also racked up multiple steals for the third straight matchup. The superstar point guard has logged a double-double or better in three of four Eastern Conference Finals games, averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals across 38.0 minutes per game. Haliburton and the Pacers will look to close out the series on the road in Game 5 on Thursday.
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Comes close to triple-double
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Haliburton had 14 points (5-16 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, 11 assists and two steals across 35 minutes during Friday's 114-109 win over the Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Pascal Siakam stole the show in this Game 2 victory, and while Haliburton endured a slow start in the first half, he stepped up right when the team needed him the most and finished just two boards shy of a triple-double. Haliburton struggled with his shot, but fantasy managers won't pay too much attention to that as long as he plays at this high level in upcoming contests. He's posted double-doubles in back-to-back games against New York after doing so just once in the previous series against Cleveland.
