The Indiana Pacers won't be rushing guard Tyrese Haliburton back to the court next season as he recovers from a torn right Achilles tendon.
Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said Monday in a news conference that he has no doubt Haliburton, "will be back better than ever. ... He will not play next year, though. We would not jeopardize that now. Don't get any hopes up that he will play."
Haliburton suffered his Achilles injury early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He had surgery June 23 at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, the Pacers announced.
It was a historic postseason for Haliburton, who turned in an array of buzzer-beating winners, incredible plays and some unprecedented stat lines. The Oklahoma City Thunder were crowned champions after beating the Pacers 103-91.
Haliburton recently wrote on social media : "And honestly, right now, torn Achilles and all, I don't regret it. I'd do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special."