Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Returns to 5-on-5 Action

All-Star point guard reaches key milestone in recovery from torn Achilles tendon

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:38am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player in mid-motion, with their body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the complex recovery process from a major injury.Tyrese Haliburton's return to full-contact practice is a critical milestone in his recovery from a devastating Achilles injury, as the Pacers look to bounce back next season.Indianapolis Today

Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers' All-Star point guard, has announced on his social media account that he has returned to 5-on-5 basketball activities for the first time since suffering a torn right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last June.

Why it matters

Haliburton's return to full-contact practice is a significant milestone in his recovery process and a positive sign for the Pacers as they look to bounce back from their Finals defeat and contend for a championship next season.

The details

Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon in the closing moments of the Pacers' Game 7 loss in the NBA Finals last June, an injury that typically requires several months of rehabilitation and recovery. His return to 5-on-5 action indicates he is progressing well in his recovery and could potentially be ready to rejoin the team for the start of the 2026-27 NBA season.

  • Haliburton suffered the Achilles injury in Game 7 of the 2025-26 NBA Finals in June 2026.
  • On April 9, 2026, Haliburton announced on his social media account that he had returned to 5-on-5 basketball activities.

The players

Tyrese Haliburton

The Indiana Pacers' All-Star point guard who suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the 2025-26 NBA Finals.

Indiana Pacers

The NBA team that Tyrese Haliburton plays for, who reached the NBA Finals in the 2025-26 season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm excited to be back on the court and taking this next step in my recovery. It's been a long road, but I'm grateful for the support of my team and our medical staff.”

— Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers Point Guard

What’s next

Haliburton will continue to work his way back to full strength and aims to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 NBA season.

The takeaway

Haliburton's return to 5-on-5 action is a positive sign for the Pacers as they look to bounce back from their NBA Finals defeat and contend for a championship next season with their star point guard healthy and ready to lead the way.