Injured Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton addressed his recent physical appearance during Indiana’s exit interviews and media availability on Monday. Haliburton, who missed the entire season while working his way back from an Achilles injury suffered during Game 7 of last season’s NBA Finals, told assembled media that he’s been suffering from face shingles.
As a result, he’s dealt with eye issues and weight gain.
“This has sucked,” Haliburton said Monday. “… (Shingles) been on my face. I couldn’t even go in front of a camera early if I wanted to because my eye was basically closed shut and (shingles) were all over my face.”
Itching and rashes soon followed and Haliburton, who admitted to being “miserable” while with the virus, began consistently wearing glasses to keep himself from touching his face and eyes.
Haliburton added that he lost part of his eyebrow from the shingles and that he has “good days and bad days,” though it’s more bad than good.
The 26-year-old two-time All-Star has been taking medication for the virus but said that not only has it not worked, but that it’s also resulted in a side effect. “It’s obviously caused me to gain weight and look a little bigger,” Haliburton, who averaged better than 18 points and nine assists last season, commented. “That’s been a topic of conversation through social media. But, ya know, what can you do?
“Hopefully it goes away here pretty soon.”
Haliburton’s been suffering from the virus for around two months.
Without their superstar point guard in the mix, Indiana finished with the second-worst record in the NBA, 19-63. Indiana should have Haliburton fully recovered from both his Achilles injury, and face shingles in time for the start of the 2026-27 season. Along with Haliburton’s return, Indiana will also welcome a top draft pick to the Hoosier state. The Pacers have a 14% chance of securing the Draft’s top overall selection. Those odds match those of Washington and Brooklyn as the NBA’s best.
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