Tyrese Haliburton says he’s feeling ‘great’ ahead of Pacers return

Tyrese Haliburton believes the toughest part is finally behind him.

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, the Pacers point guard said he’s fully recovered from shingles, has lost the weight he gained during treatment and is feeling as good as he has in quite some time as he continues working his way back from a torn Achilles.

“I feel great,” Haliburton said, via Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. “Shingles is mostly beyond me now. I’ve lost the weight. I feel great. This is the best I’ve felt in a long time.”

Haliburton missed all of last season after suffering the Achilles injury and later revealed he battled shingles during his recovery, adding another hurdle to an already difficult rehab.

The two-time All-Star also addressed the Pacers’ decision to trade their top-four protected first-round pick for center Ivica Zubac at last season’s deadline, a move that ultimately cost Indiana a chance at a high lottery selection.

Haliburton, though, said he has no regrets.

“Let’s think about it though, right?” he said. “We don’t need a guard. The fifth pick was a guard. The sixth pick was a guard. … I like Zu. We’re trying to win right now.”

The Pacers ultimately lost the lottery gamble, but Haliburton argued the trade still accomplished its primary goal.

“We got Zu, who is one of the best centers in the league,” he said.

Bottom line? Indiana is counting on Haliburton’s return to help fuel another playoff run, and by the sound of things, the franchise point guard believes he’s well on his way.