Tyrese Haliburton shingles diagnosis, explained: Pacers star says medication caused weight gain, loss of eyebrow

Tyrese Haliburton was a playoff hero for the Indiana Pacers last year, but the 2025-26 season has been a nightmare for the point guard. Haliburton missed the entire season while recovering from a torn Achilles, but that wasn’t his only health issue this year.

On Monday, Haliburton described his battle with shingles, a viral infection that forced him to deal with unexpected health concerns. Because he was already sidelined, the infection largely went under the radar publicly.

The point guard hopes to return to action next season but still has not fully recovered from his injury or illness. Here’s how Haliburton battled shingles in the second half of the season.

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Tyrese Haliburton shingles diagnosis, explained

As Tyrese Haliburton has been rehabbing from an Achilles injury, he has also dealt with shingles. The infection, which results in an intense rash on the body, has given Haliburton issues as he's tried to get healthy.

"I've lost part of my eyebrow. My eye is always swollen from itching it," Haliburton said. "I have good days and bad days, but for the most part, it’s bad days. So, it has not been any fun."

Haliburton has been on medication to alleviate the issue, but that in itself has resulted in unexpected weight gain. He has also had to deal with nerve pain and lost part of his eyebrow.

"I’m still honestly dealing with it. I’ve been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it,” he said. “It hasn’t worked. It’s obviously caused me to gain weight and look a little bigger."

Haliburton was diagnosed with shingles in February and spent a few weeks away from the team as he recovered. While he is still not fully recovered, he was able to speak with the media at the Pacers’ regular-season wrap-up media session

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What is shingles?

The CDC describes shingles as a "painful rash illness" that comes from the same virus that causes chickenpox. People who had chickenpox as a kid are prone to having the virus "reactivate" in their bodies as adults.

Shingles are only contagious to those who've never had chickenpox before or didn't get the chickenpox vaccine. It is also an illness that only adults can get.

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Is there a cure for shingles?

According to the CDC, there are several medications available to treat shingles, which all aim to "shorten the length and severity of the illness." Those medications include Acyclovir, Valacyclovir and Famciclovir.

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Tyrese Haliburton Achilles injury

After a long and impressive playoff performance, Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last year against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Not only did the injury force Haliburton to miss the final game of the series, which the Thunder won, it also meant he faced a lengthy rehab.

Breaking: Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton sustained a torn right Achilles tendon in Game 7 against Oklahoma City, sources tell ESPN. Haliburton played through a calf strain in the same leg during the NBA Finals for an opportunity to win a championship. pic.twitter.com/7pr3z2Lubq

How long has Tyrese Haliburton been out?

Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last year on June 22, 2025. As a result, Haliburton missed the entirety of the 2025-26 regular season as he went through a full rehab process.

Therefore, while Haliburton contracted shingles, it didn't cause him to miss any more games than initially expected. The point guard plans on returning to action to begin the 2026-27 season.