Tyrese Haliburton to Miss Entire 2025-26 Season

INDIANAPOLIS–Indiana Pacers Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard announced on Monday that Pacer guard Tyrese Haliburton will have to miss the entire 2025-26 season as he recovers from a torn right Achilles.

“I have no doubt that he will be back and better than ever. The surgery went well, but he will not play next year, though. We would not jeopardize that now. That means other guys will have opportunities to grow,” said Pritchard.

Pritchard says he knows Haliburton will be chomping at the bit to prove to the NBA he’s back once he’s fully healthy.

“I’ve joked with him that for now, he’ll just have to be my General Manager for the next couple of years and he’s far better than Chad (Buchanan, the Pacers current General Manager),” said Pritchard with a laugh.

Pritchard says the real work for Haliburton and the rest of the team begins now with other players having the opportunity to step up in Haliburton’s absence.

“Our coaching staff develops players and they teach them a way is not only a way that helps them get better as individuals. They also get better as a team,” said Pritchard.

Haliburton has been an All-Star twice and was on the All-NBA Third Team in 2024 and 2025. He also made game-winning shots against the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Oklahoma City Thunder en route to the NBA Finals before his Achilles injury in Game 7 of the Finals.

The Pacers also announced the signing of Center James Wiseman on Monday. On October 23, 2024, Wiseman tore his left Achilles tendon in the season-opening game against the Detroit Pistons when he was playing for the Pacers.