Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has been sidelined all season following a torn right Achilles tendon, has now been diagnosed with shingles, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle revealed on Sunday. The 25-year-old star suffered the Achilles injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder last June, further delaying his return to the court.
While Haliburton has attended many of the Pacers’ games this season, Carlisle said the guard will remain away from the team for an estimated two to three weeks due to the shingles diagnosis.
Coach Carlisle Describes Haliburton’s Condition and Outlook
Discussing Haliburton’s health, Carlisle noted,
“It’s a very painful thing. He will make a full recovery, but this happened over the last few days. He was meeting us in D.C. and had some odd symptoms and he came back here. That’s what’s happening with him. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery. It’s a unique case and a unique situation, but I talked to him a few times and he’s always in a good mood, so he’ll get through it.”
— Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers Head Coach
Understanding Shingles and Its Effects
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that leads to chickenpox, which remains dormant in the body and can reactivate years later as shingles, producing a painful skin rash. The Mayo Clinic explains that this condition can be particularly uncomfortable, affecting an individual’s daily functioning and recovery timelines.
Pacers’ Season Performance and Haliburton’s Contributions
Without Haliburton, the Pacers hold a difficult 15-43 record this season, placing them last in the Eastern Conference and second-to-last overall behind the Sacramento Kings, who stand at 12-46. Haliburton was averaging 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over 73 games in the 2024-25 season before his injury and was honored with a second consecutive All-NBA third team selection.
Haliburton has also been recognized as a two-time All-Star. Over his NBA career, which began in 2020 with the Sacramento Kings after being picked 12th overall in the NBA Draft out of Iowa State, he has averaged 17.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds across 333 regular-season games.
Next Steps and Potential Impact on the Team
Haliburton’s ongoing absence due to both his Achilles recovery and now the shingles diagnosis continues to pose challenges for the Pacers as they strive to regain competitive footing. The team and fans alike are hopeful for his full recovery and return to play, which will be critical for Indiana’s prospects moving forward in a demanding NBA season.
