Tyrese Haliburton is returning to the court after tearing his Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and he’s going to look different this season. The Pacers star revealed on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he’s packed on serious weight, intentionally bulking up to 200 pounds. That’s a full 25 pounds heavier than he was in the 2025 Finals, and he’s hoping it makes a massive difference as he makes his return.
The Calculated Transformation
Haliburton’s new 200-pound frame isn’t some accident. He says he intentionally added muscle and bulk during his season away from the court, all while rehabbing that torn Achilles. Think about that: nearly 16 months since the devastating injury, and he’s not just back, he’s back with a purpose and a new physique. He was listed at 185 pounds before, but he told McAfee he was closer to 175 pounds during the 2025 NBA Finals. Now, the plan is to stay at that 200-pound mark for the entire 2026-27 season. This isn’t just a physical change, it’s a strategic move, a bet on his ability to dominate even more with a larger frame.
The Shingles Saga and Social Media Noise
It hasn’t been a straightforward path though, as Haliburton faced a tough setback in early 2026. He contracted shingles, an illness that led to some unintentional weight gain due to medication and other symptoms. He told reporters in April, “I’ve been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It hasn’t worked.” He openly admitted it “obviously caused me to gain weight,” and that his appearance had even become “a topic of conversation through social media.” So, if you saw some chatter about his weight earlier, there was a reason. But Haliburton is making it crystal clear now: the current 200 pounds is all intentional. He’s beefed up with a purpose, hoping this larger frame helps him return to elite form and lead the Pacers.
Haliburton is fully healthy now, ready to roll at his new 200-pound playing weight. The question on everyone’s mind is what kind of impact this stronger, bulked-up version of Tyrese will have for the Pacers this 2026-27 season. We’re about to find out, and it could be something special.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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