Pacers' Haliburton Battles Shingles, Weight Gain After Achilles Injury

The young star's recovery has been complicated by multiple health issues over the past year.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:34pm

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Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton revealed that he has been battling a case of shingles over the past several months, which has led to weight gain and complications in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton said the medication he's taking for the shingles has impacted his rehabilitation process, delaying his planned return to 5-on-5 practice after the 2026 All-Star break.

Why it matters

Haliburton is a rising young star in the NBA, and his health issues over the past year have significantly impacted the Pacers' plans for the upcoming season. The team was counting on his return to help them remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, so these setbacks are a major concern.

The details

Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and has been working through a lengthy rehabilitation process. However, he was recently diagnosed with shingles, which has led to weight gain and further complications in his recovery. The medication he's taking for the shingles has prevented him from being able to fully attack his rehab, delaying his planned return to 5-on-5 practice after the 2026 All-Star break.

  • Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
  • Haliburton was supposed to return to 5-on-5 practice action after the 2026 All-Star Break.
  • Haliburton was subsequently diagnosed with shingles soon after the planned 5-on-5 return.

The players

Tyrese Haliburton

A rising young star point guard for the Indiana Pacers who is currently recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and a recent shingles diagnosis.

Jayson Tatum

An NBA player who Haliburton has been in an "Achilles group chat" with as they both recover from similar injuries.

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What’s next

Haliburton is still on track for his planned October 2026 return date, but the team will continue to monitor his recovery closely given the setbacks he has faced.

The takeaway

Haliburton's health issues over the past year, including the torn Achilles, shingles diagnosis, and resulting weight gain, have significantly complicated his recovery process and raised concerns about the Pacers' plans for the upcoming season. However, the team and Haliburton remain optimistic about his eventual return to the court.