Indiana point guard Tyrese Haliburton is wasting no time on the road back. After suffering an Achilles tendon rupture in Game 7 of the Finals on June 22, the Pacers leader has already resumed shooting work and added water-running sessions to his rehab plan. According to head coach Rick Carlisle, the rehabilitation is proceeding according to the set protocol, and the player looks focused and motivated.
Early Volume Without Impact Loading
Running in water is a typical element of the early stages of recovery after injuries to the ankle–Achilles complex. The low-impact environment reduces unnecessary stress on the tendon, allowing cardiovascular conditioning, coordination, and gait mechanics to be maintained. For a point guard whose game is built on an explosive first step and tempo shifts, it is a safe way to gradually restore the running pattern without the risk of premature overload.
Shooting as the Foundation of Touch
In parallel, Haliburton is working on his three-pointers in the gym. A shooting routine with a limited jump helps preserve the “feel for the rim,” arm–torso synchronization, and release timing. Regular series from beyond the arc are not only about technique and mechanics but also a psychological anchor: the player keeps doing what he is elite at, sustaining confidence and competitive rhythm.
Carlisle — On Progress and Discipline
Rick Carlisle noted that Tyrese is already doing water-running sessions and is gradually expanding his exercise arsenal. For the staff, that is a sign of the right trajectory: strict control of volume, careful increases in intensity, and avoiding abrupt transitions to land-based loads. The key is adherence to the protocol and continuous feedback from the medical team at every step.
What It Means for Indiana
Even limited work from Haliburton changes the offseason context for the Pacers. The team gets a chance to preserve the core offensive principles built around his court vision, dangerous passing, and perimeter shooting. While the point guard strengthens the tendon and regains movement efficiency, teammates are building chemistry and movement templates to fit his style — shooters prep their releases, bigs refine screen angles, and the second unit sets the pace in transition.
The Next Step — Patience and Quality Reps
Any Achilles rehab is a marathon, where the priority is not speed but flawless sequencing. For Haliburton, the priority remains a careful progression: from aquajogging to anti-gravity treadmills, from static jump patterns to controlled changes of direction. In this puzzle, every quality rep matters, and the current series of ‘threes’ and water-running are the first yet meaningful pieces of the picture of Indiana’s leader returning.
