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Tyrese Haliburton sits on the sideline. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
While his Indiana Pacers teammates dispersed across the globe last summer following a gutting Game 7 loss in the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton stayed behind.
The Pacers cornerstone, usually defined by movement and joy, was confined to an empty gym — rehabbing alone after suffering a torn right Achilles that ended his season on the sport’s biggest stage.
“I don’t say I’m stuck in Indiana,” Haliburton said per The Athletic’s Shakeia Taylor. “But I was here rehabbing, and I’m in the gym by myself with nobody else in there.”
The injury followed him everywhere. Every step, every scroll through social media, every quiet moment brought reminders of his body crumpled on the floor in Game 7.
“I think about it every time I blink,” he said. “I think about it all the time.”
For a player whose game thrives on pace, transition, and constant motion, the stillness was jarring. Haliburton is coming off an inspiring playoff run that always had the basketball community on it’s heels.
He averaged 17.3 points, 8.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game over 23 appearances.
Rehab days blurred together at the Pacers’ practice facility. The silence echoed. Progress came slowly.
“It just became sad after some time,” Haliburton admitted. “I just want to be able to do what I normally do and I wasn’t able to do that.”
Achilles rehab is as mentally taxing as it is physical, often requiring close to a year before full recovery — with no guarantees.
Jones, along with close friends and family, became his daily support system. When teammates weren’t around, his inner circle grew tighter.
Haliburton’s Support Extends Beyond Pacers’ Franchise
Instead of retreating inward, Haliburton leaned outward. Conversations with loved ones and team therapists helped. So did advice from an unexpected fraternity — players who had suffered the same injury.
Jayson Tatum. Kevin Durant. Dejounte Murray. Each reached out, sharing encouragement and perspective from their own recoveries.
“I think this Achilles thing brings people closer together,” Haliburton said. “Us being able to check on each other is important.”
When Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles in December, Haliburton immediately tracked down his number.
“We talked a little bit,” he said. “But there’s never really words that can help. It sucks.”
How Haliburton Stayed Connected to Basketball During His Recovery
With basketball no longer consuming every hour of his day, Haliburton explored new outlets. He joined Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage as a player contributor, launched rehab-focused video content, streamed video games with his younger brother, learned to DJ, and dove deeper into creative work with Puma.
“The more people get to see our personalities, the more it humanizes us,” he said.
Now, months later, the isolation has faded.
Teammates are back. The gym is loud again. Haliburton arrives early each morning, spending hours rebuilding strength and confidence. Coaches and executives watch his workouts. Teammates lean on his voice from the bench.
Haliburton is dunking again. Shooting again. Moving forward.
“I want to be great,” he said. “I understand what it takes to get there. I’m gonna work like hell to get to it.”
The climb back to the Pacers isn’t finished — but he’s no longer walking it alone.