The Indiana Pacers came into this season with hopes of building on last year’s electrifying playoff run. But instead, they've found themselves stuck in neutral - and the absence of Tyrese Haliburton has been the defining story.
Haliburton, the engine of Indiana’s offense and the face of the franchise, hasn’t suited up once this season. He’s still recovering from the torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals - a brutal injury that not only ended the Pacers’ Cinderella postseason run but also forced the team to hit pause on its momentum. That injury didn’t just sideline Haliburton - it shifted the entire trajectory of Indiana’s season.
Now, months into his rehab, there are signs of progress. Haliburton recently shared that he’s begun participating in controlled scrimmages - three-on-three, four-on-four - a meaningful step in any Achilles comeback. He’s not rushing it, and he’s made that clear.
“I don’t feel a pressure or anything to come back and play right now,” Haliburton said. “I feel really good, I’m in a really good space.
Just started playing like three-on-three, four-on-four. I’m getting there slowly.”
That cautious optimism is exactly what you'd expect from a player who knows how much is riding on his long-term health. There’s no playoff push to accelerate the timeline. The Pacers are buried at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, and with no immediate postseason stakes, there’s no reason to gamble with the future of their franchise cornerstone.
In Haliburton’s absence, Indiana has leaned heavily on Pascal Siakam. The veteran forward has delivered individually - putting up solid numbers and doing what he can to keep the offense afloat.
But without Haliburton’s vision, pace, and playmaking, the Pacers have struggled to find their rhythm. The offense that once hummed with creativity has lost its identity.
Still, Haliburton isn’t just sitting on the sidelines watching. He’s engaged, invested, and already thinking about what’s next. During a recent appearance on NBA on Prime Nightcap, he expressed real excitement about the Pacers’ acquisition of Ivica Zubac - a move that signals a shift in how Indiana is building around him.
“I’m excited about it,” Haliburton said. “Playing against a guy like Zu, he obviously poses a lot of different threats.
I’m looking forward to playing with him. It’ll be different for me - a guy who rebounds the ball so well.”
That’s a key insight into how Haliburton sees the future of this team. He’s not just focused on getting back - he’s thinking about how the Pacers can evolve once he does.
Zubac brings size, rebounding, and a physical interior presence the team has lacked. For a guard like Haliburton, who thrives in the pick-and-roll and loves to push tempo, having a big who can clean the glass and set hard screens opens up a new dimension.
Of course, getting back to NBA speed is a different animal. Haliburton has acknowledged that even in limited scrimmage action, he’s been reminded how far he still has to go. That’s the reality of an Achilles recovery - it’s not just about being cleared; it’s about trusting your body again at full speed, under full pressure.
But the tone inside the Pacers’ locker room and front office isn’t one of frustration - it’s patience. This season, for Indiana, is less about wins and losses and more about laying the groundwork. The Haliburton-Zubac pairing, Siakam’s continued presence, and the development of younger pieces - it’s all part of a longer-term vision.
For now, Haliburton is doing what he needs to do: staying the course, getting stronger, and thinking two steps ahead. And for the Pacers, that’s exactly the kind of leadership they need - even if it’s coming from the sideline.