Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Hits Key Milestone in Achilles Injury Recovery

All-Star guard takes big step forward by returning to 5-on-5 practice for first time since June

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:10am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting Tyrese Haliburton's basketball movements and recovery process, with sharp geometric planes in the Pacers' blue and gold colors, conceptually representing the star player's progress towards a comeback.Tyrese Haliburton's long road to recovery takes an important step forward as the Pacers star returns to full-contact practice, providing hope for a team in desperate need of its leader's return.Philadelphia Today

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton announced on social media that he has progressed to 5-on-5 basketball activities for the first time since suffering a ruptured Achilles injury during last season's NBA Finals. Haliburton, a two-time All-Star, has been sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season but is now inching closer to a return as the Pacers struggle through one of their worst campaigns in franchise history.

Why it matters

Haliburton's return to full-contact practice is a major milestone in his recovery and a positive sign for the Pacers, who have plummeted to the second-worst record in the NBA this season without their star point guard. His eventual comeback could provide a much-needed boost for the team as they look to rebound next year.

The details

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Haliburton shared that he participated in his first 5-on-5 session on Wednesday, writing 'Played 5 on 5 today for first time since June' along with a praying hands emoji. The 26-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a ruptured Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While rehabbing, Haliburton has remained engaged with the team, attending games and exploring new hobbies like DJing and designing a sneaker line with Puma.

  • Haliburton suffered the Achilles injury during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 22, 2025.
  • He announced his return to 5-on-5 practice on April 9, 2026.

The players

Tyrese Haliburton

A 26-year-old All-Star point guard for the Indiana Pacers who has been sidelined since suffering a ruptured Achilles injury during the 2025 NBA Finals.

Indiana Pacers

An NBA franchise that has struggled mightily this season with a 18-61 record, the second-worst in the league, in the absence of their star player Tyrese Haliburton.

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What’s next

The Pacers have three games remaining in the 2025-26 season, including a matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, and the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Haliburton's continued progress in practice will be closely monitored as the team looks ahead to a potential return next season.

The takeaway

Tyrese Haliburton's return to 5-on-5 practice is an encouraging sign for the Pacers and their fans, who have endured a difficult season without their star point guard. His eventual comeback could provide a much-needed boost for the team as they look to rebound from one of the worst campaigns in franchise history and reclaim their status as an Eastern Conference contender.