A torn Achilles tendon in the biggest game of his career could have cast a shadow over Tyrese Haliburton’s outlook heading into next season. Instead, the Pacers star says he feels ready to go, and Johnny Furphy sounds just as encouraged after his own long injury battle.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles Recovery Boosts Pacers’ Outlook
Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a brutal end to a series Indiana nearly stole. According to Circle City Spin, he is on track for training camp. Furphy, recovering from a February ACL tear, has no firm timetable but says he is right where he needs to be.
The 26-year-old point guard is coming off an All-NBA Third Team season, averaging 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. For his career, Tyrese Haliburton owns averages of 17.5 points and 8.8 assists per game in the regular season, with similar production, 17.9 points and 8.4 assists, in the playoffs.
He signed a five-year, $244 million extension with Indiana in July 2023 and will earn close to $49 million this season. The Pacers plan to start him alongside Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac, a lineup with genuine two-way upside on paper.
Haliburton and Furphy Sound Ready to Move Forward
Haliburton said the long recovery has felt like waiting through several offseasons at once, and he cannot wait to get back on the floor. Furphy struck a similarly upbeat tone about his own progress, calling himself right where he needs to be physically.
Haliburton has also admitted the injury still stings. He said on a podcast that he sensed the risk after straining his calf earlier in the playoffs, and that he could not immediately tell what had happened when he went down against Oklahoma City.
With Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles recovery seemingly complete and Furphy healthy again, Indiana opens the 2026-27 season on October 21 against the New Orleans Pelicans with genuine reason for confidence.
