Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has been out of action since suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, is confident that he’ll be ready for the start of next season, relays Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files (Twitter video link).

“I feel like I’m operating like I’m a healthy NBA player for the first time in a long time, which is exciting,” Haliburton told reporters at his Simple Truth Basketball ProCamp. “The fact that I’m able to come here without having to answer questions from anybody in our organization about my health, that I’m just able to jump in and do some things with the kids, that means the world to me. It’s something I don’t take for granted after the last 12 months.”

Haliburton was at the top of his game during the 2025 playoffs, leading Indiana to a surprising playoff run and a competitive Finals battle with Oklahoma City. Haliburton averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists during that postseason and sank numerous clutch shots that led to Pacers victories.

Indiana collapsed without him this season, falling to 19-63, the league’s second worst-record. The team also lost its first-round draft pick in a trade with the Clippers, but acquired Ivica Zubac, who should provide a strong presence in the middle as the Pacers try to reestablish themselves as championship contenders.

Their title hopes will be focused on a full recovery by Haliburton, who has blossomed into a star since being acquired in a 2022 trade with Sacramento. He earned third-team All-NBA honors in his last two healthy seasons and led the league in assists with 10.9 in 2023/24.

Haliburton also addressed his bout with shingles in April, saying he’s fully recovered from that as well.

“I look back at videos of me and I can see how swollen my face is,” he said. “I’m glad that’s beyond me and past me now. I feel great. My body feels great. I’m able to do everything.”