Haliburton makes progress in Achilles rehab Pacers expect season miss

Tyrese Haliburton provided his latest update on a difficult road back from a torn Achilles, saying he has begun walking in a boot and is getting closer to wearing regular shoes, even as the Indiana Pacers expect him to miss the entire 2025-26 season. Speaking at a youth basketball camp in Westfield, he described the rehabilitation as a series of small, patient milestones, emphasizing that the primary goal is a complete return rather than a rushed comeback.

The injury changed the course of Haliburton’s season in dramatic fashion. He suffered the Achilles tear in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, ending Indiana’s title bid against Oklahoma City. Surgery followed promptly, and the organization immediately placed him on the season-ending list for 2025-26. In recent public updates, Haliburton has spoken openly about the rehab process, noting that progress comes in small increments and that he tries to “take it a day at a time.” He added that he has good days and bad days, but remains focused on regaining full strength and explosiveness.

His outlook comes amid a broader period of recovery for the Pacers, who are navigating the loss of their franchise standout while staying committed to his...