Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season, and the NFL noticed. Haliburton watched from the sidelines as the New York Knicks won the title, the very team his Pacers eliminated one year prior in the Eastern Conference Finals.
His absence caught the eye of Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons, a friend of the Pacers guard, took to social media with a clear message. “The nba missed Haliburton this year!! Playoffs wasn’t the same without him!” The statement underscores the massive void left by Haliburton’s injury.
Just last year, Haliburton was the engine behind Indiana’s shocking run to the NBA Finals. His elite playmaking and sharpshooting warped entire defensive schemes. His mastery of the pick-and-roll created open looks for everyone, elevating the entire Pacers roster. He was the undisputed leader, averaging 17.3 points and 8.6 assists in the postseason.
But it all came to a halt. Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury was devastating, and the Thunder went on to win their first championship. Without its star, Indiana never stood a chance this season.
Haliburton is now deep into his recovery. He has been cleared for 5-on-5 action and has reportedly added 30 pounds of muscle, signaling a determined comeback. Fans are watching his progress videos closely, hoping to see the return of the player who brought championship basketball back to Indiana.
