Some wounds don’t bleed. They roll in, cracking smiles, balancing on scooters, and waving like nothing’s wrong. So there he was. Tyrese Haliburton, the face of Indiana basketball, gliding into the WNBA All-Star Friday night in downtown Indy like a man who had just dropped 30 and 12. Except this time, he wasn’t on hardwood, and one leg was propped up on a medical scooter. The same leg that betrayed him in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against OKC. The same leg that had millions watching in silence as the Pacers’ miracle run crumbled.

White tee, blue shorts, a backwards cap—the outfit screamed summer. The scooter? Not so much. And yet, as he made his way through fans with the ease of someone who’s very much used to the spotlight, one voice in the crowd shouted, “Get well soon, Tyrese!” His response? Just two words, but said with that signature grin: “I’m good.” Was he really?

It didn’t matter. Because for the city of Indianapolis, seeing Haliburton was enough. He didn’t have to be whole to be beloved. Just being there, smiling, showing up, was enough to light up the sidewalks of downtown. It was classic Hali: part showman, part soldier, part soul of a franchise still licking its wounds. But let’s get into some context here, shall we?

Remember Game 1 of the NBA Finals? Haliburton was called “the moment” on social media. His game-winning masterpiece with 0.3 seconds left on the clock lit up the Thunder like a Fourth of July warm-up. ESPN segments couldn’t get enough. He was the engine, the identity, the vibe. Then came the pain with a calf strain in Game 5 and the dreaded Game 7 exit. The diagnosis? A significant tear in the right Achilles. Enough to make Pat McAfee declare that he might “ultimately have to sacrifice his entire life to get back healthy.”

But here he is. Already back. Not on the court, but where it counts—in the city, in the moment, in the mix. And Tyrese Haliburton showing up at the WNBA All-Star festivities isn’t just a cute cameo. It’s a full-circle reminder of what he means to this basketball city. His presence was symbolic, yes, but also deeply intentional.

Tyrese Haliburton shows up, even when he can’t suit up

Caitlin Clark, his fellow Midwest hoops icon, was a part of the event because, of course, she was. And their relationship? Always mutual, always vocal. Haliburton has tweeted about Clark’s greatness. He was even there to support Clark’s team, even with her sidelined with an injury herself. And well, for her part, she’s reposted Pacers highlights with the same kind of pride. Indiana’s basketball royalty, in sync.

Remember how she channelled her inner Reggie Miller in support of the Indiana Pacers? But there’s something bigger here. In a league constantly chasing the next star, Indiana already has its sun. Haliburton averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game this season. He led the Pacers to their first Finals appearance in over two decades. He made the All-NBA Third Team. And still somehow, he feels underrated. You don’t see the faces of the franchise pulling up to events on scooters unless it means something, right?

And let’s not forget that this wasn’t just any Friday night. This was the Friday night, with the whole league’s eyes on Indy. Haliburton didn’t shrink from the moment. He never does. He’s the kind of guy who tells the city, “I’m good,” even when he’s not, because he knows they need to hear it. It reminded fans that recovery isn’t always about silence and shadows.

Sometimes, it’s about rolling up, laughing a little, and letting your people know you’re still here. There’s a long offseason ahead. Surgery hasn’t been ruled out. Rehab will be grueling. Expectations will be towering. But Tyrese Haliburton? He’s already shown he can carry weight most can’t see. Two words. That’s all it took. “I’m good.” And somehow, the city believed him.