After the surgery, Haliburton expressed his feelings with a heart gesture! He has no regrets about the torn Achilles and apologized to Pacers fans, quoting Kobe.

On June 24, Beijing time, Pacers star Haliburton underwent surgery and updated his social media with a photo and a lengthy post. In the photo, Haliburton is smiling and making a heart gesture from his hospital bed. He wrote—

oh my, I can’t find the words to describe this feeling other than shock. The pain from this disappointment is indescribable, and the frustration runs deep. I’ve worked my whole life for this moment, only for it to end like this? It makes no sense at all.

Now that I’ve had the surgery, I can say for sure that I will hear countless times from people saying, “You’ll come back stronger.” That phrase is so cliché, haha, this situation really sucks. My foot feels as heavy as dead weight, but the most painful part is actually my heart. I feel like I’m rambling, but I know that when I get through this and look back, I will be proud of having overcome it all. It feels much better to express these thoughts without you all seeing me cry my eyes out.

At 25, I understand that God never gives us trials beyond what we can bear. I know that once I get through this, I will be a better person and a greater player. To be honest, even with a torn Achilles, I have no regrets . For this city and my brothers, for the chance to create miracles, I am willing to give my all time and again.

To the fans in Indiana, I’m sorry. If there’s any fan base that shouldn’t have to endure this, it’s you. But we will fight together to reach this height again and overcome this hurdle. I have no doubt you will support me, and I hope you know I will always be your backing. Kobe said it best in a similar situation: “There are far worse problems/challenges in the world than a torn Achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find a glimmer of hope, and fight with the same belief, drive, and determination as always.” These words are absolutely true, and I will do everything I can to return to the court.

My journey to this point has been no coincidence; I push myself to get better every day, and I will continue to do so. Most importantly, I am grateful. Grateful for every experience that has brought me here, grateful for all the love from the basketball community. I am not “forced” to go through this, but “fortunate” to experience it. I look forward to what lies ahead and can’t wait to show you how I come back strong. So, give me a little time, and I will bounce back to being the best Haliburton.

In the conclusion of his lengthy post, he quoted a passage from the Bible: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Earlier reports indicated that Haliburton is expected to miss the next season, so let’s wish him a speedy recovery!