Fans react with jokes to Tyrese Haliburton’s weight gain during recovery

TL;DR

Tyrese Haliburton's weight gain during recovery has sparked a wave of jokes from fans. The Indiana Pacers had a tough season, finishing with only 19 wins, and Haliburton emphasized the need for improvement before their final game.

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

The Indiana Pacers endured a difficult season, finishing with just 19 wins from 82 games amid important injuries and roster changes, including Myles Turner’s departure.

Only the Washington Wizards posted a worse record, highlighting the scale of the challenge faced by the franchise throughout the campaign.

Before their final game, Tyrese Haliburton, who missed the entire season, addressed fans, insisting they should not become accustomed to such struggles.

However, it was his appearance during the speech that drew unexpected attention.

Fans react to Tyrese Haliburton’s appearance after speech amid injury recovery

Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Haliburton’s physical condition quickly became a talking point following his speech on Sunday, with many fans noting a visible weight gain.

After a clip circulated on X, reactions flooded in with mixed responses to the point guard’s current shape.

One fan wrote: “Haliburton been having some haliburgers”

“Haliburton, please put down the cheesecakes…” stated another X user.

A third person commented: “He looks like Tyrese Haliburton if he ate Tyrese Haliburton”

“Jokes aside he’s definitely gained some weight… Which I guess is expected for someone in his spot,” concluded a fourth fan.

Recovery process explains Tyrese Haliburton’s current condition

Haliburton’s situation aligns with what is typically expected during recovery from a serious injury.

The guard has been sidelined for several months after suffering a right Achilles tendon injury, limiting his ability to maintain peak physical condition.

Last week, he revealed he had played a 5 vs 5 game for the first time since June 2025, marking a key step in his return.

While he may need time to regain full fitness, there is confidence he will be ready to perform by the start of next season.

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Q&A

What did Tyrese Haliburton say to fans about the Pacers' struggles?

Tyrese Haliburton urged fans not to become accustomed to the team's struggles during a difficult season.

How many wins did the Indiana Pacers achieve this season?

The Indiana Pacers finished the season with just 19 wins out of 82 games.

What was the impact of injuries on the Pacers' season?

Injuries and roster changes, including Myles Turner's departure, significantly affected the Pacers' performance throughout the season.