Tyrese Haliburton’s name has been synonymous with late-game brilliance and pointed court vision for the Pacers. But after a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder, the 25-year-old All-Star is sidelined, and the conversation around Indiana’s 2025–26 season has shifted dramatically. Early projections had Haliburton averaging 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds, already elite numbers for a floor general. Now, the focus turns to recovery and what the team can accomplish in his absence. 

Pacers GM Chad Buchanan offered an update that balances optimism with realism. “Our medical staff would tell you he’s right on pace where he should be…you’ve seen him walking around without the boot… But he’s he’s doing great. And you know, I know he’s gonna be he wishes he was getting ready to play for practice on Tuesday, but uh mentally I think he’s in a good place and physically is as well,” he said, noting Haliburton is eight to 12 weeks out from surgery and navigating the tedious, yet essential, rehab process. Mentally and physically, Buchanan added, Haliburton is in a solid place, though he’s eager to get back on the court.

And even without their star point guard, Indiana isn’t tempering expectations. Buchanan rejected the notion of a “gap year,” emphasizing daily improvement over end-of-season outcomes. “We approach everything…how can we be a little bit better today and not thinking about the end result as much as we are thinking about improving ourselves and developing ourselves, our players, our staff, our team every single day. And wherever that takes us is where it takes us. We saw where it took us last year. And I think your ceiling is defined by how consistent you are with what you do every day,” he said, highlighting that the team’s core identity remains intact and that opportunities abound for other players to step up.

Haliburton’s absence creates space for rotation players like Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff to assume larger roles. While the team will face challenges, the GM insists that success will be judged by the team’s performance at the season’s end, not just navigating the early challenges. “We want to be playing our best at the end of the year, whatever that takes us to,” Buchanan added, underlining the organization’s consistent approach to growth and preparation.

But Haliburton’s absence reshapes not only minutes but also trade strategy. The Pacers must balance long-term player development with immediate competitiveness. While depth like Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff offers flexibility, no one replaces Hali’s playmaking overnight. Fans have already witnessed glimpses of his leadership beyond stats, as he cheered on the Indiana Fever from home, celebrating and energizing without touching the ball.

Haliburton’s impact and the road ahead

Indiana’s last playoff run, including a dominant Game 6 performance against the Knicks with 21 points, 10.5 assists, and 6 rebounds from Haliburton, showed the ceiling when he’s on the floor. Losing him shifts the narrative, but his presence at events like the WNBA All-Star festivities demonstrates that leadership extends beyond court boundaries. Haliburton continues to influence culture and public perception, even while sidelined.

Even as trade possibilities swirl around the league, Houston’s Fred VanVleet injury, for instance, the Pacers’ internal calculus centers on maximizing existing talent. TJ McConnell, now a key veteran presence, becomes a linchpin for depth and rotational stability. The team aims to maintain identity and cohesion, even without its floor general.

Contractually, Haliburton is a cornerstone of Indiana’s $245 million future, a commitment the team remains invested in despite temporary setbacks. Buchanan’s approach emphasizes process over panic: maintaining team identity, maximizing opportunities for younger talent, and keeping development consistent. Every practice, rotation, and every scrimmage will now be measured through the lens of Tyrese’s eventual return.

The 2025–26 season is already taking shape without Hali, but the story is far from finished. As he inches closer to returning from rehab, the Pacers’ challenge will be adapting and aiming high. For fans and analysts alike, this isn’t merely a year to watch a player recover.

Perhaps it’s a season to track how a team strengthens around its most vital piece, with Haliburton as the heartbeat waiting to come back. The clock is ticking, the rehab is steady, and the Pacers are poised for a narrative full of intrigue and the promise of Tyrese Haliburton’s happy return.