Just under a year ago, Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers were on top of the world – or at least close to it. Haliburton put on a clinic of how to play down the stretch, making winning plays throughout the postseason and leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals.
However, in Game 7 of the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton, who had already been dealing with other leg issues, suffered a torn Achilles tendon.
That Achilles injury ended Haliburton’s 2025-2026 season before it started, and as a result, the Pacers essentially lost their season as well.
With the latest on Haliburton’s comeback not entirely positive, the NBA world has been saddened by his (lack of) progress.
The NBA World Reacts to Tyrese Haliburton’s Health Issues
Haliburton has dealt with other issues during recovery, including facial shingles, where he lost part of his eyebrow.
“I’ve lost part of my eyebrow,” Haliburton said via James Boyd of the Athletic. “My eye is always swollen from itching it. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part, it’s bad days. So, it has not been any fun.”
Overall, Haliburton is going through a very tough time with his physical and mental health.
“I’ve been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It hasn’t worked. It’s obviously caused me to gain weight … That’s been a topic of conversation through social media …”
#Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton “lost part my eyebrow” due to face shingles:
“I’ve been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It hasn’t worked. It’s obviously caused me to gain weight … That’s been a topic of conversation through social media …” pic.twitter.com/nRSpgnzjm6
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) April 13, 2026
The NBA world spoke out about his recent struggles.
Haliburton stan and Pacers fan HaliMuse does not want to hear any disparaging remarks about Haliburton and attached the Arthur fist meme to prove his point.
“Call him Tyrese Haliburger one more time,” they wrote.
Call him Tyrese Haliburger one more time https://t.co/rE1I7J7b3K pic.twitter.com/NtQzWKBsnZ
— HaliMuse (@hali_muse) April 13, 2026
Sports personality IAM_JOHNW doesn’t believe it’s funny either.
“Folks were calling Tyrese Haliburton Tyrese Haliburger, and he’s actually dealing with things outside his control,” he said. “Not everything is jokes.”
Folks were calling Tyrese Haliburton Tyrese Haliburger and he’s actually dealing with things outside his control . Not everything is jokes https://t.co/jxTBb8qbs0
— John (@iam_johnw) April 13, 2026
Jess, aka FeverBandwagon, who covers the WNBA’s Indiana Fever as well as the Pacers, just wants Haliburton to be left alone.
“Please can everyone leave this man alone? This sucks for him.”
Please can everyone leave this man alone? This sucks for him. https://t.co/6UiDuEUzzV
— Jess (@FeverBandwagon) April 13, 2026
Noa Dalzell of Celtics Blog put it simply, saying, “This really sucks.”
This really sucks https://t.co/9k9BdvBD6k
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) April 13, 2026
With the type of medication Haliburton is likely on, combined with his injury, weight gain is likely nearly impossible to avoid.
Most of the NBA world seems to be rallying around Haliburton as he’s going through this try time (well, maybe not Knicks fans).
Haliburton averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game last season while shooting 47.3% from the floor, but it was his clutch postseason play that turned him into a bona fide star, and it will be exciting to see him finally return to the court, provided all of his medical checks out, next season.
