Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is poised for a major comeback season after a devastating Achilles injury sidelined him for the entire 2025-26 campaign. His absence was felt profoundly as the Pacers, just two years removed from an NBA Finals appearance, collapsed to a dismal record, including a recent 121-133 loss to the Detroit Pistons on April 12, 2026. The team's recent form of one win and four losses in their last five games highlights the void left by their floor general.
What happened to Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers?
Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This injury forced him to miss all of the following season. Without him, the Indiana Pacers' offense lost its primary engine. The team won just 19 games, a stark contrast to their Finals run.
In the 2024-25 season, Haliburton averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists over 73 games. He was far more than a scorer. He orchestrated the entire offense, making his teammates' jobs easier. The Pacers' recent 1-4 skid, including four consecutive losses, shows how much they still rely on him. You can track the team's recovery on our [standings](/standings) page.
Why is Haliburton's return so important for Indiana?
Haliburton's value goes beyond basic statistics. He is the team's leader and primary playmaker. His ability to create shots for others and control the pace is unmatched on the roster. When he went down, the Pacers' system effectively broke.
The data from last season proves it. The team's offensive rating plummeted. They struggled to generate easy baskets in the paint and from the perimeter. Opponents could focus their defense differently without the threat of Haliburton's passing and scoring. Getting him back healthy changes everything for their scheme.
What can we expect next season?
A healthy Haliburton immediately elevates the Pacers' ceiling. He will be the focal point of the offense again. The key question is how his body responds after a full year of rehabilitation. Achilles injuries are serious, but modern medicine has seen successful returns.
The Pacers will need to rebuild the rhythm and timing of their pick-and-roll actions, which were so effective with Haliburton. His return should also boost the performance of his teammates, who often struggled to create their own offense last year. Monitoring his progress will be essential, which fans can do via our [injuries](/injuries) updates.
Indiana's front office likely views the 2026-27 season as a reset. The goal will be to reintegrate Haliburton and compete for a playoff spot. Their disappointing finish last season, capped by that loss to Detroit, provides plenty of motivation. The comeback story for both the player and the team begins now.
