The Indiana Pacers experienced a troubling trend last season with three players—James Wiseman, Isaiah Jackson, and Tyrese Haliburton—suffering torn Achilles tendons. Haliburton’s injury occurred just seven minutes into Game 7 of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA Finals, sidelining him for the entire upcoming season and highlighting concerns over this injury’s increasing prevalence among NBA stars.
Insights from a Veteran Trainer on Achilles Injuries Among NBA Players
Gary Vitti, a former longtime NBA trainer, appeared on Byron Scott‘s Fastbreak to discuss the surge in Achilles tendon injuries in basketball. Vitti pinpointed a common cause linked to young athletes playing an excessive number of games without adequate physical development.
What we hear a lot is ‘too many games, too much basketball at a young age.’ That is absolutely true…if you hit a link in the kinetic chain that can’t handle the load, it’s going to fail, and that starts at the heel strike. It could be your Achilles tendon, could be your plantar fascia.
—Gary Vitti, Former NBA Trainer
According to Vitti, the root of many injuries lies in overuse combined with a weak core, which fails to support the strain placed on players’ lower bodies. He suggests that improving core strength is critical for preventing these tears, a focus that will likely shape Haliburton’s rehabilitation as he aims to avoid similar setbacks in the future.
Need for the Indiana Pacers to Overhaul Offseason Training Approaches
The Pacers’ training staff is reviewing last season‘s injury spike to uncover why multiple players suffered Achilles tears in a short period. Although some believe this could be an unlikely coincidence, the team recognizes the importance of updating their offseason training regimen to better protect player health.
With the goal of reducing injury risk, the Pacers plan to implement stronger conditioning programs that emphasize injury prevention. Haliburton is expected to use this year to focus on his rehab fully and prepare to return as a key figure to help lead Indiana back to the NBA Finals in the 2026-27 season.
Ongoing Concerns and Future Outlook for the Pacers
As the Pacers cope with the impact of these significant injuries, their ability to adapt their training and recovery methods will be crucial. Trainers and coaching staff remain committed to ensuring players like Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum, who have all faced similar setbacks during the playoffs, can maintain their health moving forward.
By addressing these physical challenges with targeted rehabilitation and prevention strategies, the Pacers aim to avoid recurring Achilles injuries and preserve both player career longevity and team competitiveness in upcoming seasons.