Tyrese Haliburton says his lengthy recovery is complete and that he will enter the 2026-27 NBA season without restrictions after missing all of last year.
The Indiana Pacers star tore his Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After spending an entire season recovering, Haliburton said Monday that he is completely healthy.
“I am healthy,” said Haliburton. “There will be no restrictions. That is not news. There is no source. I am the source. I’m good. I’m ready to go for the year.
“Now that we have guys coming back and I’ve been able to play in pickup and stuff, I’ll be just fine. Don’t worry.”
Indiana experienced a dramatic decline without its point guard, finishing 19-63 after coming within one victory of winning the championship the previous season.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Haliburton’s absence demonstrated just how important he is to the team.
“You don’t realize how important one player can be until you are without that player for a significant period of time,” said Carlisle.
Although Haliburton is cleared to return, Carlisle said the Pacers have not yet determined exactly how his workload will be handled when the season begins.
“I can’t tell you exactly what the load is going to be,” said the coach.
“We will be in very animated communication about it with the training staff and with him. At this point, it really appears that he has made a great recovery and a great return to play.”
