Tyrese Haliburton walked up those studio steps without a walking boot, and Indiana Pacers fans everywhere felt their hearts skip a beat. After months of uncertainty following his devastating NBA Finals injury, the franchise cornerstone just delivered the news everyone was desperate to hear. The road back isn’t over, but for the first time since that crushing Game 7 moment, there’s real hope lighting up the path ahead.
How Is Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles Recovery Progressing?
The Pacers received encouraging news Tuesday when Haliburton appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and revealed a major milestone in his rehabilitation. The star guard announced he’s officially out of his walking boot, marking significant progress since his devastating injury.
“We’re out of the boot now which is nice..
I feel like I do a million calf raises a day but we’re getting there” ~ @TyHaliburton22 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/or6xUotUrr
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 9, 2025
Haliburton appeared in the studio alongside host Pat McAfee and WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. McAfee wasted no time addressing the question on every Pacers fan’s mind. “How are you doing in your Achilles rehab?” he asked.
Haliburton’s response brought smiles all around: “Good. We’re out of the boot now, in two shoes, which is nice. I feel like I do a million calf raises a day but we’re getting there, bro.”
The conversation took a lighthearted turn when McAfee playfully jabbed at his guest. “We were worried about your legs…you had these little baby calves.” Triple H joined in with a joke about Haliburton “coming back with cows around your legs.”
The guard laughed while clarifying an important point: “You keep saying new Achilles, it’s the same Achilles, just glued together.”
What Does This Timeline Mean for Haliburton’s Return?
The injury occurred during a devastating moment in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Haliburton had started the contest brilliantly, draining three three-pointers in just five minutes before going down in the first quarter. That moment ended not only his night, but the Pacers’ championship dreams.
The 25-year-old guard is already expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season. His absence will force the Pacers to rely heavily on Andrew Nembhard, the fourth-year guard who gained recognition during last season’s playoff run, to fill the starting role.
This latest update represents a stark contrast from Haliburton’s previous appearance on McAfee’s show just a month after the injury. Back then, the mood was much more somber as he processed the devastating blow. “I’m going to fight like hell to get back and hopefully get this opportunity to win a championship again,” Haliburton said at the time. “But that’s not guaranteed. That feeling definitely sits with me sometimes and that sucks, but I can’t really control the past.”
Tyrese Haliburton turning defense into points, ’25 Playoffs pic.twitter.com/TqMXXLZxGQ
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) September 8, 2025
Tuesday’s appearance showed a completely different energy. McAfee noticed the improvement immediately, telling Haliburton, “I saw you come up those steps, you looked better than the last time you came up those steps.”
The progress aligns with other recent positive signs. Haliburton was spotted supporting his alma mater, Iowa State, during their home game against Iowa last Saturday without the walking boot, giving fans their first glimpse of his improved mobility.
His recovery timeline appears on track with typical Achilles rehabilitation. The initial healing process usually requires up to three months before athletes can be cleared to run, with full recovery taking anywhere from 12 to 18 months. While the road remains long, Haliburton’s latest update gives Pacers fans reason for optimism about their franchise player’s future.
