By ISABEL BALDWIN, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 11:07 EST, 23 February 2026 | Updated: 11:10 EST, 23 February 2026
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is set to be away from the team for a few weeks after being diagnosed with shingles.
The point guard has not played at all this season due to the torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of last year's NBA Finals.
However, despite being unable to take to the court, the 25-year-old has still been supporting his teammates, sitting on the team bench during games.
Now, he reportedly will not be in the building altogether, as he will be taking a further step back from the team while he recovers from the painful disease.
'It's a very painful thing,' head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Sunday, per Sports Illustrated. '[...] He will make a full recovery, but this happened over the last few days.
'He was meeting us in DC and had some odd symptoms, and he came back here. That's what's happening with him. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery. It's a unique case and a unique situation, but I talked to him a few times, and he's always in a good mood, so he'll get through it.'
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton is set to be away from the team for a few weeks with shingles
The point guard has still be on the team's bench, despite being sidelined for the season
The 25-year-old underwent surgery after tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox and features a painful skin rash. Other symptoms include burning or tingling and fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over.
Without Haliburton this season, the Pacers, who were bested by the Oklahoma City Thunder in last year's Finals, are 15-43 this season - the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers lost the Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals 91-103 to the Thunder after Haliburton was forced out of the decider with a torn Achilles.
After a what replays showed was a pop in his lower right leg in the first quarter, Halliburton was left in tears and screaming in agony after hitting the court.
He had played through the pain barrier with a calf issue in the same leg which may have contributed to a new issue that has now sidelined him for the entirety of this season.
He underwent surgery to repair the tear in late June - barely 24 hours on from sustaining the injury - sharing an emotional statement from his hospital bed.
'Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown,' Haliburton wrote. 'The frustration is unfathomable. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense.'
Indiana PacersSports Illustrated