Tyrese Haliburton (Image Credits: Imagn)
Achilles injuries have hit the NBA in the worst way possible! From Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, who has been teased to return, to Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, who might miss the entire 2025-26 season.

Hailburton’s injury came at the worst possible time. He tore his Achilles tendon late last season during a crucial playoff push, derailing his hopes of leading the Indiana Pacers to the Finals. However, now, he has finally opened up about how the setback impacted his championship dream.

The All-Star guard shared his thoughts during a recent sit-down interview with Playmaker’s Finish The Verse podcast. Tyrese Haliburton spoke about the mental and emotional toll of suffering such a devastating injury at the peak of his career.

“I’m right there. I’m talking about the trophy is in the tunnel, you feel me? Like, I’m right there. It’s like all I gotta do is put together forty-eight strong minutes, and I’m right there. And so, to have that kind of ripped away from me is tough. And it’s something that I have to live with for a little bit,” Haliburton said.

Despite the setback, the All-Star guard has been showing progress in his recovery. Just three months after surgery, he was seen back in the gym participating in light shooting workouts, a hopeful sign for Pacers fans. His determination to bounce back has fans optimistic, even as he continues the long road of rehabilitation.

Tyrese Haliburton Is Often Seen At WWE Events Amid Injury Rehabilitation

Tyrese Haliburton and John Cena (Image Credits: X/@WWE)
While Haliburton may be out of action from the basketball court, he still manages to be on television. A longtime WWE fan, fans often saw the Pacers star at several Premium Live Events in 2025. And recently, he even stirred debate by declaring John Cena as the true WWE GOAT over Brock Lesnar.

Tyrese Haliburton even got playful at one of the WWE SmackDown episodes. He sided with Logan Paul to square off against LA Knight and Jalen Brunson. This special cameo from the NBA stars was indeed a delightful moment for the fans.

Haliburton’s crossover into wrestling hasn’t gone unnoticed by WWE stars either. Recently, CM Punk paid tribute to him with an epic “Choke Celebration” at Wrestlepalooza, further solidifying the bond between the NBA and pro wrestling worlds.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.