Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers star guard, is working his way back to game shape after rupturing his right Achilles tendon, and a recent incident at a Fever game shows he's making progress.
What happened at the Fever game?
The incident occurred when the ball became lodged behind the backboard during the opening minutes of the Fever's game against the Phoenix Mercury.
Tyrese Haliburton was courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and rose from his seat to help dislodge the ball with a mop pole.
The crowd erupted in cheers for Haliburton, with Indianapolis Star reporter Brian Haenchen posting a video of the moment, captioned "Tyrese Haliburton, ladies and gentlemen".
Why it matters for Tyrese Haliburton's recovery
Haliburton's recovery from his torn right Achilles tendon has not been easy, with a bout of shingles causing him to gain weight and lose part of his right eyebrow.
But the good news is that Haliburton has been cleared to play 5-on-5 basketball, as confirmed by Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard.
Pritchard said Haliburton has come off about 10 pounds and is doing some five-on-five, with a monthly ramp-up planned to get him ready for training camp.
What comes next for Tyrese Haliburton?
Before his season-ending injury, Haliburton put together a strong 2024-25 campaign, averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game across 73 appearances.
He also shot 47.3% from the floor and 38.8% from 3-point range, and the Pacers will be hoping he can return to this form for the 2026-27 season.
The Pacers went just 19-63 during the 2025-26 season without Haliburton, so his return will be a welcome boost for the team.
Haliburton's heroic deed at the Fever game may seem like a small incident, but it shows he's on the right track to recovery and ready to make an impact on the court again.
And with his clearance to play 5-on-5 basketball, the Pacers will be hoping he can lead them to a stronger season in 2026-27.
So the focus will now be on Haliburton's progress in the coming months, with the Pacers eager to see him back to his best.