Haliburton Eyes Opening-Night Return, Backs Surgeon's Full-Recovery Call

The Indiana Pacers guard says he feels no need for patience in his Achilles comeback and embraces the fit alongside new center Ivica Zubac.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said Monday that he expects to be on the floor when the new season begins, roughly a year after tearing his Achilles in the opening minutes of Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against Oklahoma City. The injury ended Indiana's title bid and cost him the entire 2025-26 campaign.

Speaking to IndyStar following a hospital visit with kidney transplant patients at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, Haliburton pushed back on the idea that returning players deserve extra patience. The competitor in him, he said, believes he will be fine immediately, adding that he feels great and has no excuses lined up.

His surgeon, Dr. Martin O'Malley, who described Haliburton as an ideal patient and an exceptionally kind person, forecast a complete recovery. Haliburton said he shares that view completely and would have been concerned if his doctor thought otherwise.

Haliburton also addressed adjusting to center Ivica Zubac, acquired in February after Myles Turner departed for Milwaukee in free agency. He noted Zubac works closer to the basket while Turner offered more perimeter shooting, calling the change something the whole roster must adapt to but is eager for.

Zubac, 29, is entering his 11th NBA season. Last year he posted 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game on 61.3% shooting and placed fifth leaguewide in rebounding.

On team goals, Haliburton was direct: returning to the Finals is the plan, and anyone without that ambition does not belong. He acknowledged the group fell short of its own standard a year ago and said a summer of work and training camp are meant to correct that.