The Indiana Pacers and their fans received some sobering news recently regarding the health and availability of their star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton. After suffering a devastating Achilles tendon tear in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, it was widely expected that Haliburton would miss a significant amount of time. Now, the team has officially confirmed that Haliburton will not suit up for the Pacers next season — at least according to their current outlook.
Achilles tendon injuries are among the most serious in professional sports, often requiring lengthy recovery periods that can extend to a full year or more. Given the severity of the injury and its timing, the prognosis for Haliburton’s 2025-26 season was understandably bleak. In response, the Pacers have secured a disabled player exception (DPE) from the NBA, a special roster provision that allows teams some flexibility in replacing a key player sidelined by long-term injury.
However, while the team’s official stance is that Haliburton will miss the entire upcoming season, they have left the door open — just a crack — for an unlikely but hopeful medical breakthrough. In a recent statement, Pacers assistant general manager Brian Wu shed light on what the disabled player exception really means and what it could imply for Haliburton’s potential return.
Wu explained, “Acquiring the disabled player exception doesn’t preclude us from anything, really. It just means that more likely than not, there’s a chance that Tyrese is going to be out for the season. If he were to somehow come back, applying for it doesn’t mean that he can’t come back.”
This cautious optimism acknowledges the unpredictable nature of sports injuries. While the typical timeline for Achilles recovery hovers around a year, every athlete’s healing process is unique. There have been rare cases where players have returned sooner than expected, thanks to advances in medical treatments, rehabilitation protocols, and sheer determination. That said, these cases are exceptions rather than the rule.
For the Pacers, the priority remains ensuring Haliburton’s full recovery and long-term health. The team understands that rushing a player back from an Achilles injury can have devastating consequences, potentially risking re-injury or diminished performance down the road. As one of the franchise’s most valuable assets, Tyrese Haliburton’s well-being is paramount.
The disabled player exception gives the Pacers some financial and roster flexibility to add another player while Haliburton is sidelined. However, the Pacers have been careful to emphasize that the exception is a precautionary measure rather than a definitive declaration that Haliburton’s season is over. It simply allows the team to manage their roster effectively without being hamstrung by his injury.
Fans should not expect to see Haliburton on the court for Indiana in the 2025-26 campaign, but the team’s measured messaging hints that they remain hopeful — albeit realistically so — about his return timeline. The situation underscores the harsh realities of professional sports injuries and the delicate balance teams must strike between managing expectations and nurturing hope.
The Pacers have faced significant challenges with injuries this past season, and losing a player of Haliburton’s caliber is undoubtedly a major setback. Still, the organization appears committed to doing whatever it takes to support him through recovery while maintaining competitiveness.
As the offseason progresses and Haliburton continues his rehabilitation, Pacers fans will undoubtedly watch closely for any updates. While the official word suggests he won’t play next season, the possibility of a medical miracle remains alive — if faint. For now, patience and support for Haliburton are the order of the day, as the franchise and its star player focus on a full recovery with an eye toward many productive seasons ahead.