Tyrese Haliburton hosts youth basketball camp as recovery from Achilles tendon injury continues

WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) — Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was back on the basketball court and back on his feet Saturday.

No, he wasn’t running or shooting — it’s far too early for that just two months into his Achilles tendon rehab, an increasingly common recovery in the NBA. But it was progress.

And being at the Indiana Pacers Athletic Center in suburban Indianapolis, surrounded by 300-plus eager youth basketball campers, brought back Haliburton's million-dollar smile, too.

“I'm walking in my boot, getting closer to walking full time in my shoe, so that's exciting," he said. “Every couple of weeks, it's kind of a new benchmark, a new achievement. So it's the small wins right now. There are good days, bad days, so every day is kind of Groundhog Day. I'm just trying to get well."

Saturday was a good day. He had made enough progress to pose for pictures, stand for interviews, and walk, in a protective boot, around the facility.

None of it would have been possible back in late June when this event was initially scheduled. Those plans changed the moment Haliburton's strained right calf quivered during the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Haliburton immediately crashed to the floor, leaving teammates, coaches and fans in disbelief.

He needed help to leave the court and watched the rest of the game from the locker room with his father, John. The Pacers came up short that night, and Haliburton left the arena on crutches, knowing the likely diagnosis — surgery that would cost him all of next season.

The silver lining: Haliburton said he won't rush the recovery and he's rehabbing with Indiana's other prominent injured star, two-time WNBA All-Star Caitlin Clark. She hasn't played since July 15 because of an injured right groin, her third muscle injury this season.

“It sucks she's been hurt as long as she has, but for us to be able to communicate, even with her recovery we lift at the same time so it's like just us two in the weight room,” he said. “I wish she was playing, but I think it's good to have each other to lean on right now."

Haliburton has followed the recoveries of Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, who also suffered Achilles tendon injuries in the playoffs and could miss all of this coming season. Tatum recently called the first six weeks after the injury “probably the toughest six weeks of any point in my life.”

At least three Pacers players — Haliburton, Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman — can empathize. Jackson and Wiseman both injured Achilles tendons early last season, and they hope to be ready for Indiana's season opener on Oct. 23 against defending champ Oklahoma City. So they've been providing advice and encouragement.

“We've kind of got a little bit of an Achilles group in our own locker room," Haliburton said. "It means the world to me because you get tired of complaining to the trainers. You know they're just doing their job, they're doing everything they can. But sometimes being able to talk, complain, to those guys means a lot.”

The boxes of letters he has received from well-wishers in Indiana, his home state of Wisconsin, his college home in Iowa and around the nation have helped, too.

So does seeing teammates — old and new. Forward James Johnson flew into town to work the camp. Rookie guards Taelon Peter and Kam Jones were there, too, as was Haliburton's proud and passionate father who was glad-handing and chatting it up with anyone willing to stop.

But perhaps the best medicine for Haliburton was being out in public, spending time with all those smiling kids in their Tyrese Haliburton camp T-shirts.

“A lot of these kids are coming up to me saying ‘I was at this game in the playoffs and at that game,’” Haliburton said, smiling ear to ear. “So I think just showing that I'm not, they might think I'm like this mythical being. I know I thought that when I was their age. So it's cool to be here, in front of the kids, hanging out, spending some time with them. I love being around it.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton talks to participants during his basketball camp at the Indiana Pacers Athletic Center, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Westfield, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton poses for a photo with Broden Barkhimer during his basketball camp, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Westfield, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton watches a scrimmage during his basketball camp at the Indiana Pacers Athletic Center, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Westfield, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton talks to participants during his basketball camp at the Indiana Pacers Athletic Center, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Westfield, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton watches a scrimmage during his basketball camp at the Indiana Pacers Athletic Center, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Westfield, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

CARY, N.C. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw isn't done pitching just yet, agreeing Thursday to join the U.S. team for this year's World Baseball Classic.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner wanted to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 tournament but was prevented because of insurance issues. He had a $20 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time.

“I was too broken for the insurance to cover my arm and everything,” Kershaw said on MLB Network, “so now that it doesn't matter I get to go and be a part of this group.”

A left-hander who turns 38 two days after the March 17 championship game, Kershaw announced last September that he was retiring at the end of the season, his 18th in a stellar career for the Dodgers. He won his third World Series title and finished 223-96 with a 2.53 ERA and 3,052 strikeouts.

“I just want to be the insurance policy,” Kershaw said. “If anybody needs a breather or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back or if they don’t need me to pitch at all, I’m just there to be there. I just want to be a part of this group.”

Later Thursday, new Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman announced he will join the U.S. team.

When Kershaw received a call from U.S. manager Mark DeRosa, he thought he was being invited as a coach.

“I didn't have a whole lot of interest in picking up a baseball again," Kershaw said. “I started throwing 10, 12 days ago and it doesn’t feel terrible, so I think I’ll be OK.”

Kershaw joins a U.S. pitching staff that includes right-handers David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb along with left-handers Tarik Skubal and Gabe Speier.

The American roster also includes catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Ernie Clement, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr.; outfielders Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

The U.S., which lost the 2023 championship game to Japan, opens March 6 against Brazil at Houston, part of a group that also includes Britain, Italy and Mexico.

Shohei Ohtani struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to end Japan's 3-2 win in the 2023 championship. Kershaw doesn't anticipate facing Ohtani, his teammate for the Dodgers' World Series titles in 2024 and 2025.

“I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against team Japan in the finals or something. I think we got plenty of guys to get that guy out and not me,” Kershaw said. “But if that happens, I'll be nervous. I'll be nervous at this point.”

AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates the end of the top of the 12th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of baseball's World Series, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)