Tyrese Haliburton’s injury has left the Indiana Pacers in a difficult position heading into the next NBA season. The star point guard tore his Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the Finals-one of the most feared injuries in professional sports. Officially, the organization does not expect him back in 2025, as this type of recovery typically takes at least 12 months.
The severity of the situation led the franchise to receive a disabled player exception from the league, a tool that allows them to strengthen the roster while Haliburton recovers. However, the team is still holding on to a sliver of hope.
Indiana Pacers still have hope
“Receiving the exception doesn’t mean Tyrese can’t come back,” explained assistant general manager Brian Wu. “It only indicates that, in most cases, this type of injury keeps a player out for the entire season. But if an extraordinary scenario occurs, he could return.”
Both general manager Kevin Pritchard and Haliburton himself have reiterated that they are not counting on an early comeback. Still, optimism isn’t entirely out of the question: Jayson Tatum, who suffered the same injury at the start of the playoffs, is already walking and could be available for the upcoming campaign.
Recoveries in the NBA
Although not all Achilles tears are the same, advances in sports medicine have significantly shortened recovery timelines. The most memorable case is Kobe Bryant, who returned to the court just eight months after suffering the injury in 2013.
However, an early return doesn’t always guarantee the same level of performance. Bryant never fully regained the explosiveness that defined him before the injury-something that concerns the Pacers in Haliburton’s case.
Tyrese Haliburton’s future
At just 25 years old, Haliburton is considered the cornerstone of the Pacers’ long-term project. Rushing his return could jeopardize not only his performance but also his career in the long run. For now, the priority seems clear: allow the point guard to fully recover before returning to the demands of the NBA.
In the meantime, Indiana will have to find a way to stay competitive without its star, trusting that when Haliburton returns, he’ll be at his very best.
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