Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Battles Shingles Amid Achilles Rehab

The young star guard opened up about the painful condition that sidelined him for weeks.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton revealed he has been dealing with a bout of shingles in addition to recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Haliburton discussed the painful rash, headaches, and other symptoms that kept him away from the team for 2-3 weeks earlier this season.

Why it matters

Haliburton's shingles diagnosis was an unexpected setback in his recovery from a major injury, compounding the challenges he faced in an already difficult season for the struggling Pacers. The young star's openness about his health struggles provides a window into the physical and mental toll professional athletes can face.

The details

Haliburton said he initially thought he was dealing with severe migraines before doctors diagnosed him with shingles, which caused a painful rash on his face that lasted for weeks. The condition also led to itching and partial loss of his eyebrow. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed Haliburton's shingles case, stating the team expected him to make a full recovery despite the unique circumstances.

  • In February 2026, Haliburton was instructed to stay away from the Pacers for 2-3 weeks due to his shingles diagnosis.
  • On March 28, 2026, Haliburton discussed his shingles battle in an interview with NBA on Prime's Nightcap.

The players

Tyrese Haliburton

A young guard for the Indiana Pacers who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and also dealt with a bout of shingles this season.

Rick Carlisle

The head coach of the Indiana Pacers, who confirmed Haliburton's shingles diagnosis and expected him to make a full recovery.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I had this crazy headache. I didn't know what was going on. It just never went away. So, I was supposed to meet the team in D.C. I flew right to Indy because I needed to go see a doctor. We had all these appointments scheduled for CTs and I thought I had these crazy migranes. He look at me for five minutes and he's like oh my God, you have shingles. He's like, this is going to suck.”

— Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers Guard

“It's a very painful thing. He will likely make a full recovery. 'He was meeting us in D.C. and had some odd symptoms,' Carlisle said. 'It's a unique case, a unique situation... but he's always in a good mood, so he'll get through it.'”

— Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers Head Coach

What’s next

The Pacers will host the Miami Heat on Sunday, March 31, 2026, as Haliburton continues his recovery from both the shingles and his Achilles injury.

The takeaway

Haliburton's openness about his shingles battle highlights the physical and mental challenges professional athletes can face, even beyond major injuries. His perseverance through this unexpected setback reflects the resilience required to excel at the highest levels of the sport.