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Tyrese Haliburton says the NBA drug tested him a week after he posted a video of himself dunking as part of his Achilles rehab. “Post a video dunking, drug test a week later!” the Pacers All-Star guard wrote on X, drawing instant reaction from fans as he continues a months-long comeback. Haliburton recently shared a “Week 17” dunk video – a notable benchmark less than five months after he ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The clip showed the All-NBA playmaker elevating off one foot and finishing with his right hand, then dapping up Pacers coach Rick Carlisle – a positive sign for explosiveness and confidence during the mid-stage of recovery. The Post That Sparked the Test Haliburton didn’t elaborate on whether the test was scheduled or random, and the league typically doesn’t publicly discuss specific player testing. His post landed after his Week-17 dunk clip drew widespread attention, with national outlets noting the aggressive timeline and what it could signal for his long-term bounce. The NBA’s testing framework is outlined in the collective bargaining agreement; while the league can administer tests during the season and offseason, results and frequency are not typically disclosed case-by-case. (Background CBA reporting referenced here; avoid asserting motive absent league comment.) Where His Recovery Stands The Pacers and league reporters confirmed over the summer that Haliburton would miss the entire 2025-26 season after the Finals injury. Recovery windows for Achilles ruptures commonly run 8-10+ months, and Indiana stressed it would not rush its 25-year-old centerpiece back. Haliburton’s path back has been tracked closely after he went down early in Game 7 against the Thunder, ending a breakout run that helped push Indiana to the brink of a title. Subsequent updates emphasized patience and long-term health, with the Week-17 dunk arriving as his most visible step forward to date. What it Means For Pacers fans, the dunk — and Haliburton’s note about a follow-up drug test — arrive as reminders of two truths: his explosiveness is returning, and the spotlight on his recovery isn’t going away. While a single controlled-setting dunk isn’t proof of game readiness, it’s a meaningful checkpoint in regaining confidence off the right leg. The organization’s stance hasn’t changed: 2025–26 remains a redshirt year with an eye toward a fully rebuilt star in 2026. The Pacers are struggling this season. The team is off to a 1-6 start, and has been hit by a torrent of injuries. This means, even if Haliburton was somehow ahead of his rehab schedule, the team would be highly unlikely to thrust him into competition anytime soon. And it also marks why Haliburton’s news is so important to Pacers fans, who are looking forward to any positive signs amid a rough 2025 season. If Haliburton’s trajectory continues, Indiana’s calculus for 2026 changes quickly. Before the injury, he averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, on 47% shooting from the field and 39% from deep, and anchored one of the East’s most efficient offenses. The priority now is strength, elasticity and lift while avoiding setbacks. The Week-17 clip suggests he’s hitting milestones on schedule, even if actual five-on-five work and contact are further down the ramp.
