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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton addressed reporters for the first time since rupturing his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals during Pacers media day Monday.
“It’s coming along. I feel like I’m right on cue, right where I’m supposed to be at this point,” Haliburton said. “Just taking it one day at a time. It’s a monotonous thing of everyday it feels like you’re doing the same thing over and over.”
Haliburton, 25, was key in the Pacers’ historic playoff run, hitting multiple circus shots while leading Indiana to its first Finals in 25 years. Haliburton described his summer as “a drag.”
“He’s right on pace where he needs to be,” Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan told reporters during Pacers front office media availability last Thursday. “He’s going through the typical rehab procedure with an Achilles, which can be kind of monotonous and tedious, but it’s part of the long-term growth of getting yourself back healthy.”
Tyrese Haliburton on the role he's going to play on the bench for this season while he's out with his injury:
"I feel like I'm going to be able to see the game in a different way." pic.twitter.com/9DQhFQGjzS
— NBA (@NBA) September 29, 2025
"The standard is the standard. We've created a culture here that is special in this league."
Tyrese Haliburton on the standard not changing this year. pic.twitter.com/4aSX6THEHx
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) September 29, 2025
Haliburton averaged 17.3 points, 8.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 23 games in the 2025 playoffs and was named to the NBA’s All-NBA Third Team for the 2024-25 season, marking his second consecutive selection to the Third Team.
With Haliburton sidelined, Buchanan says a gap year has “never been what we’ve been about.” Though Haliburton’s absence presents challenges, the Pacers intend to try to win.
“We’d never wish away a season,” Buchanan continued. “We’ve got so many opportunities for some players on our team that weren’t there before, and we’re excited to see what they can do. And I think this team has shown that they come together when people kind of doubt them. We’re still going to have a lot of the same identity. I wouldn’t put a limit on anything for this year.”
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Shakeia Taylor is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the NBA. Before joining The Athletic, she worked as a sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune. Follow Shakeia on Twitter @curlyfro
