Tyrese Haliburton says he's returned to 5-on-5 action as Pacers star takes big step in his Achilles recovery
Indiana confirmed last July that Haliburton wouldn't play during the 2025-26 season.
During the final week of an NBA regular season that’s missed Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers star provided an encouraging update about his return to play. “Played 5 on 5 today for first time since June,” the two-time All-Star point guard posted on X on Wednesday night . June is when Haliburton, 26, tragically suffered an Achilles tear that cut his epic 2025 postseason short during Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Played 5 on 5 today for first time since June🙏🏽🙏🏽 — Tyrese Haliburton (@Hali) April 8, 2026 Haliburton was playing through a calf strain at the time. He knew the risks that came with that endeavor, and, yet, he rolled the dice in order to try to help the Pacers win their first NBA championship. But in the first quarter of a fateful Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton stumbled while dribbling forward, hit the deck and, in obvious pain, pounded the hardwood with his hand.
Then tied, the game wound up in the Thunder’s hands, and Oklahoma City hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy while the Pacers wondered what could have been. Haliburton, after all, was a late-game assassin throughout last year’s playoffs. A day after Haliburton’s devastating injury, he shared a heartfelt message to fans on social media .
“Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock,” Haliburton wrote while posting a photo of him in a hospital bed, holding up a heart sign with his hands . “Words cannot express the pain of this letdown.