NBA Star Tyrese Haliburton Battles Shingles During Recovery

Tyrese Haliburton isn't letting a double dose of bad luck keep him down.

The Indiana Pacers star tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, ending what could have been a championship run. While missing the entire season was devastating, Haliburton revealed Monday that an illness has been even tougher than the career-threatening injury.

He's been battling shingles for two months, dealing with nerve pain, vision problems, and medication that hasn't worked yet. The condition caused him to gain weight, lose part of his right eyebrow, and wear glasses to protect his swollen eye.

"It's been miserable," Haliburton said. "I have good days and bad days, but for the most part it's been bad days."

Despite the struggle, the young guard is using his platform to spread an important message. He urged anyone over 50 to get the shingles vaccine, sharing his experience to help others avoid the same fate.

About 1 in 3 Americans will get shingles in their lifetime, according to the CDC. In severe cases, it can cause vision loss and lasting nerve pain that lingers for months or years.

Haliburton admitted he's "out of shape like crazy" from the medication and inability to train properly. He's tried changing medications multiple times and even gotten a Botox injection, but nothing has provided relief yet.

Why This Inspires

What makes Haliburton's story remarkable isn't just his resilience. It's his willingness to be vulnerable about a condition many people don't understand or talk about openly.

While dealing with nerve pain and recovering from a major injury, he's focused on helping others. His public discussion of shingles could inspire thousands to get vaccinated and avoid the same suffering.

He's also maintained incredible optimism about his basketball future. Haliburton said he has "no worries" about getting back into playing shape once he's off the medication, comparing his timeline to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who returned from a similar Achilles injury in March.

The Pacers struggled without their star, winning only 19 games this season. But with a top lottery pick coming and Haliburton confident about his recovery, Indiana's future looks bright again.

His message is clear: setbacks happen, but they don't define you.