The Indiana Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals last year came to a screeching halt when the team lost Tyrese Haliburton with a torn Achilles in Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season as he watched Indiana only win 19 games and fall to 14th in the Eastern Conference. But as he revs up to play in 2026-27, Haliburton admitted that it’s not the physical injury that he’s worried about going into next year.

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It’s an illness he’s been battling.

He said Monday he has been dealing with shingles, which has caused him to gain weight, lose part of his right eyebrow and forced him to wear glasses to avoid scratching his swollen eye.

“First of all, I’d tell anybody over 50 years old to get the shot,” Haliburton said. “It’s been miserable. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part it’s been bad days.

“I’ve been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It hasn’t worked. It’s not been fun and hopefully it goes away soon. It’s hard to really tell with nerve pain, but I’ve been dealing now with nerve pain for two months and in the world of nerve pain, that’s not very long. Hopefully, it goes away soon.”

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after suffering an injury during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on June 22, 2025. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said about 1 in 3 Americans will get shingles. The illness, if severe enough, can cause vision loss and nerve pain.

Haliburton said he was on a similar recovery timeline as Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who also suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs last year. Tatum returned to the Celtics in March and has provided the boost Boston needed to be seen as championship contenders.

Haliburton said he has “no worries” about getting back into playing shape once he’s off the medication.

“I’m out of shape like crazy, like I never have been before,” Haliburton said. “I’ve changed my medication a bunch of times. I’ve gotten a Botox injection I thought would help, it hasn’t really helped. I’ve done everything, it just hasn’t worked yet. But I’m confident it goes away soon.”

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton plays in the second half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on March 29, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

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The Pacers will likely have a top lottery pick in the draft. Adding another young superstar to the Haliburton-led team would be a blessing in disguise for Indiana as they look to get back on top of the conference next season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Zimbabwean cricketer Muzarabani from playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two years for violating contract.

According to PCB, Blessing Muzarabani will not be able to play the next two editions of PSL.

The decision to ban Muzarabani was made due to breach of contract.

Muzarabani preferred the second contract despite the terms being agreed upon.

There will be no compromise on compliance with contracts and transparency in professional cricket.

Disciplinary action was necessary to maintain the effectiveness of PSL.

PSL is a platform where contracts are respected.

This ban has been imposed as a necessary measure to protect the league.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Zimbabwean cricketer Blessing Muzarabani from participating in the next two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for pulling out of the marquee league at the eleventh hour.

“Following a thorough disciplinary review, the PCB has announced that Zimbabwean cricketer Blessing Muzarabani is declared ineligible to participate in the next two (2) editions of the PSL, effective immediately,” the cricket board said in a statement.

Muzarabani was originally set to feature for Islamabad United in the PSL 2026, but the right-arm fast bowler withdrew himself as he was signed by Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.

The PCB reaffirmed its commitment to the highest standards of professional conduct and the sanctity of contractual agreements within the PSL.

“This decision stems from a fundamental failure to honour agreed-upon commitments, an action that undermines the professional framework of the league,” the statement read.

The PCB maintained that professional cricket operates on the bedrock of trust and the certainty of agreements. “In this instance, despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement.”

The PCB added that once essential terms — including remuneration and structure — are agreed upon through written correspondence, a binding obligation is formed, adding that the attempt to move away from such commitments without valid cause is a violation of contractual obligations and principles of good faith that govern global professional sports.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka and Australia’s Spensor Johnson had also pulled out of the PSL and joined the IPL.

The PCB added: “Professionalism in franchise-based leagues requires participants to act with transparency and consistency. Entering into a conflicting engagement while a prior binding agreement subsists represents a departure from the expected standards of the game. Such conduct, if left unaddressed, erodes the reliability of dealings and the confidence that franchises, regulators, and stakeholders place in professional engagements.”