Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ All-Star point guard, signed a five-year, $244.6 million max contract but then suffered a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, reshaping his career and the team’s future. This article breaks down the verified facts, contract details, and recovery timeline for the 25-year-old guard.
Contract: $244,623,120 / 5 years ·
2024-25 PPG: 18.6 ·
Assists per game: 9.2 ·
Injury: Torn right Achilles (2025-06-22) ·
2025-26 status: Out for season
Quick snapshot
- Signed a five-year, $244,623,120 max extension with the Pacers on 2023-07-01 (Spotrac (salary cap tracker))
- 2024-25 regular season averages: 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds (ESPN (player profile))
- First player in NBA history to average 20+ points and 10+ assists while shooting 40% from three in a season (ESPN (reporting))
- Suffered a torn right Achilles during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder (RotoWire (injury update))
- Exact recovery timeline beyond the 2025-26 season; RotoWire estimates a return around 2026-10-01 (RotoWire)
- Whether Haliburton will regain pre-injury speed and shooting efficiency (no official medical prognosis)
- Impact of previous hamstring and hip flexor injuries on long-term durability (Spotrac)
- 2025-06-22: Right Achilles injury during Game 7 (FOX Sports (injury list))
- 2025-06-23: Surgery on right Achilles tendon (SportsForecaster (transaction log))
- 2025-07-07: Basketball-Reference updates status to out for 2025-26 season (Basketball-Reference (player page))
- Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season (NBA.com (official player page))
- Pacers face a year without their max-contract star; salary cap implications for roster construction (NBA.com (official player page))
- Estimated return: around 2026-10-01, if recovery stays on schedule (RotoWire) (NBA.com (official player page))
Seven key data points, one pattern: Haliburton’s contract is fully guaranteed, his pre-injury production was elite, and the Achilles tear creates a massive gap in the Pacers’ lineup.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Contract length | 5 years (2024-25 through 2028-29) |
| Total guaranteed value | $244,623,120 (Spotrac) |
| 2025-26 base salary | $45,550,512 (Spotrac) |
| 2024-25 regular season PPG | 18.6 (ESPN) |
| 2024-25 regular season APG | 9.2 (ESPN) |
| Career regular season PPG | 17.5 (ESPN) |
| Career regular season APG | 8.8 (ESPN) |
| Postseason career PPG (23 games) | 17.3 (ESPN) |
| Postseason career APG (23 games) | 8.6 (ESPN) |
| 2025-26 season status | Out (torn right Achilles) (NBA.com) |
| Injury date | 2025-06-22 (FOX Sports) |
| Surgery date | 2025-06-23 (SportsForecaster) |
Contract Details
- Haliburton signed a five-year, $244,623,120 max extension with the Indiana Pacers on 2023-07-01, fully guaranteed (Spotrac).
- The deal includes a 2024-25 salary cap hit of $42.17 million, rising to $55.67 million in 2028-29 (IndyStar).
- ESPN confirmed the five-year max contract, emphasizing Haliburton’s historic 2023-24 season that earned him the extension (ESPN).
The trade-off: The Pacers are paying a max salary to a player who won’t step on the court for a full season, with no cap relief.
Performance Stats
- 2024-25 regular season: 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds per game (ESPN).
- Career regular season: 17.5 points, 8.8 assists (ESPN).
- Postseason (23 games): 17.3 points, 8.6 assists (ESPN).
- Haliburton became the first player in NBA history to average 20+ points and 10+ assists while shooting 40% from three-point range in a single season (ESPN).
What this means: Haliburton’s production placed him among the league’s elite playmakers. The Achilles injury removes that production from the Pacers’ lineup for at least a year.
Injury Timeline
- 2025-06-22: Right Achilles injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder (FOX Sports).
- 2025-06-23: Surgery on the right Achilles tendon (SportsForecaster).
- 2025-07-07: Basketball-Reference updated status to out for the 2025-26 season due to a torn Achilles (Basketball-Reference).
- RotoWire reported the tear occurred during Game 7 and noted Haliburton would miss the entire 2025-26 campaign, with an estimated return around 2026-10-01 (RotoWire).
- NBA.com confirmed Haliburton would miss the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from surgery on his right Achilles tendon (NBA.com).
- Spotrac’s injury log shows a cluster of missed games in 2024-25 for hamstring, hip flexor, back, and injury-management reasons (Spotrac).
The pattern: Haliburton’s 2024-25 season already had durability concerns before the catastrophic Achilles injury. The Pacers now face a year without their star guard, and the recovery timeline for a torn Achilles — especially for a guard who relies on burst and change of direction — is historically uncertain.
The Pacers are paying Haliburton $45.5 million in 2025-26 for zero games played. While the contract is insured, the cap hit remains, limiting their ability to sign a replacement of equal caliber.
What’s Next
- Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season, per NBA.com.
- The Pacers must navigate the season without their max-contract point guard; salary cap flexibility is limited.
- RotoWire estimates a return around 2026-10-01, though recovery from Achilles tears can be unpredictable (RotoWire).
- Basketball-Reference lists Haliburton’s status as out for the 2025-26 season with an update date of 2025-07-07 (Basketball-Reference).
Why this matters: The Pacers’ immediate future hinges on how Haliburton recovers. For a franchise that built its offensive system around his playmaking, the 2025-26 season is a write-off. The question is whether he returns to All-Star form or becomes a cautionary tale of max contracts ruined by leg injuries.
Haliburton’s previous injuries — hamstring, hip flexor, back — suggest a pattern of lower-body issues. The Achilles tear compounds that risk. Fans should watch for updates on his rehab progress, especially any reports of setbacks or early return timelines.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Contract: $244,623,120 fully guaranteed over 5 years (Spotrac)
- 2024-25 regular season averages: 18.6 PPG, 9.2 APG, 3.5 RPG (ESPN)
- First player in NBA history to average 20+ PPG and 10+ APG while shooting 40% from three (ESPN)
- Torn right Achilles during Game 7 of the NBA Finals on 2025-06-22 (RotoWire)
- Surgery on 2025-06-23 (SportsForecaster)
- Will miss the entire 2025-26 season (NBA.com)
- Salary cap hits: $42.17M (2024-25), $45.55M (2025-26), $48.92M (2026-27), $52.29M (2027-28), $55.67M (2028-29) (IndyStar)
What’s unclear
- Exact return date — RotoWire estimates 2026-10-01, but Achilles recovery is variable (RotoWire)
- Whether Haliburton will regain pre-injury speed and shooting efficiency
- Impact of previous lower-body injuries on long-term durability (Spotrac)
The pattern: The verified contract and injury data contrast sharply with the unanswered questions about Haliburton’s recovery and long-term performance.
Quotes from the sources
“Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from surgery on his right Achilles tendon.”
— NBA.com (official player page)
“Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder and will miss the entire 2025-26 campaign.”
“Haliburton became the first player in NBA history to average 20 points and 10 assists while shooting 40% from three-point range in a season.”
For the Pacers, the choice is clear: they must build a competitive roster without their star guard for one season, while hoping Haliburton returns to near-All-Star form in 2026-27, or face a rebuild that wastes the prime of their other young players.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tyrese Haliburton’s contract?
He signed a five-year, $244,623,120 max extension with the Indiana Pacers, fully guaranteed, through the 2028-29 season (Spotrac).
What are his 2024-25 stats?
18.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game in the regular season (ESPN).
What injury did Haliburton suffer?
A torn right Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder on 2025-06-22 (RotoWire).
When did he have surgery?
On 2025-06-23 (SportsForecaster).
Will he play in the 2025-26 season?
No. He will miss the entire season while recovering (NBA.com).
When is he expected to return?
RotoWire estimates a return around 2026-10-01, though recovery timelines can vary (RotoWire).
What is his salary cap hit for 2025-26?
$45,550,512 (Spotrac).
Did he have any previous injuries?
Yes, Spotrac’s injury log shows missed games in 2024-25 for hamstring, hip flexor, back, and injury-management reasons (Spotrac).
These FAQs address the most pressing questions about Haliburton’s contract, injury, and future.
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The Pacers’ upcoming season will be a test of their roster depth, with their star’s return the key to their long-term success.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.