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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 05: Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on December 05, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers knew that Tyrese Haliburton was not going to play at all this season. They immediately ruled him out before the year started due to his torn Achilles tendon. Refusing to allow him to play allows him to return on his own timeline.
Haliburton has slowly been making progress. Intermittently, he has been posting videos on social media that have documented his progress in his rehab. Haliburton continues to make slow progress, but he is getting better every single day.
Now that Haliburton is a player contributor for Amazon, he will be popping in during their coverage of games. Friday night was his first time on, and he let fans of the Pacers know that he is close to hitting a milestone in his recovery.
GettyTyrese Haliburton drives the ball. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Tyrese Haliburton Close to Playing 1-on-1
Haliburton let everyone know that he is close to playing 1-on-1 as he continues his recovery. He said that his new goal is to be playing 1-on-1 by the end of the month. That would mark a significant moment in his recovery. He is not playing live basketball with anyone at the moment.
As each week passes, Haliburton is getting stronger. He has been with the Pacers for most games, cheering them on from the sideline. He has been learning how coaches think about each game, which should help him next season when he returns fully healthy.
The Pacers have struggled without Haliburton in the lineup, owning the third-worst offense in the league. That has resulted in Indiana owning the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Without Haliburton pushing the ball up and having his shooting to scare teams, it has been tough sledding.
As Haliburton continues to recover, he is working on being more patient. That patience should pay off next season when he’s back running the show for the Pacers. Right now, the team doesn’t run half-court offense well without him on the court.
GettyTyrese Haliburton celebrates a basket. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers Have to Build Around Haliburton Next Season
Once Haliburton is finally healthy, the Pacers will need to have a good team around him. Next year’s team has a shot to be almost the same as the one that made the NBA Finals. The only issue is that they have to find a center that they can count on.
The Pacers will need to do that either at the trade deadline or next summer if they want to get back to the NBA Finals. Indiana’s roster will finally be fully healthy, as Obi Toppin, Kam Jones, and every other injured player should be good to go.
Indiana might be adding a top-five pick heading into next season, too. Adding a top talent to a team that made the NBA Finals when it was healthy would make them even more dangerous. Haliburton staying healthy all of next season is key, as well.
Haliburton will continue to work as hard as he can to make a complete and full recovery.