Halliburton s recovery is in progress: a milestone with small victory

Indiana Pacers star Teresa Halliburton has recovered his standing walking ability and has also walked around the court in protective boots on Sunday.

Although it is not possible to run or shoot - it is too early to do such movements in just two months of Achilles tendon rehabilitation, this recovery model is becoming more common in the NBA - but this is a significant progress. Halliburton re-expressed his signature million-dollar smile when he was surrounded by more than three hundred enthusiastic youth basketball teenagers.

"I can walk in protective boots now, one step closer to walking in full-time conventional sneakers, which is exciting," he said. "New benchmarks and breakthroughs will appear every few weeks. At this stage, we are focusing on small progress. There are always ups and downs in the recovery process, and it seems that the Groundhog Festival is repeated every day. I am only focusing on restoring health. "

This Sunday is undoubtedly a wonderful day. He has made enough progress to cooperate with taking photos, standing for interviews, and walking in the venue in protective boots.

This activity was planned to be held at the end of June, but it was impossible to achieve at that time. All plans mutated in the first quarter of the NBA Finals Game 7 - the moment Halliburton's right calf muscle suddenly tightened and trembled. He fell to the ground, leaving behind shocked teammates, coaches and audience members.

After leaving the court with the help of his father John, Halliburton finished watching the remaining game in the locker room. The Pacers lost that night, and when he left the court with a cane, he had anticipated that almost certain diagnosis: he would miss the entire next season's surgical treatment.

The only comforting thing is that Halliburton said he would not be in a hurry and was recovering with another injured star player in Indiana, WNBA two-time All-Star Caitlyn Clark. The latter has missed the event since July 15 due to a right groin injury, which is her third muscle injury this season.

"It is really frustrating that her continued injury, but we can communicate with each other now, even conduct resilience weight training at the same time, and the only two of us are left in the entire strength room," he admitted, "I certainly hope she will return to the field, but supporting each other at this stage is indeed a rare comfort. "

Halilburton has been paying attention to the recovery progress of Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Boston Celtics forward Jason Tatum - both players also suffered Achilles tendon injuries in the playoffs and may miss the entire new season. Tatum recently called the first six weeks after his injury "probably the most difficult six weeks in my life."

The Pacers have at least three players - Halliburton, Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman - who empathize. Jackson and Wiseman both suffered Achilles tendon injuries early last season and are expected to prepare for the season opening against defending champion Oklahoma City on October 23. Therefore, they continue to provide advice and encouragement to Halliburton.

"We seem to have formed a small Achilles tendon recovery team in our locker room," Halliburton said. "This means a lot to me, because you are always tired of complaining to the trainer. Although you understand that they are just doing their duty, it is very meaningful to be able to complain to your teammates at times. "

The blessing letters sent from Indiana, his hometown of Wisconsin, Iowa, where the university is located, and the whole country also provide important support for him.

Meeting his teammates - whether veterans or rookies - also excited him. Forward James Johnson made a special trip to participate in training camps, rookie guards Tyrone Peter and Cam Jones were also present, as well as Halliburton's enthusiastic father, who was shaking hands with all those who were willing to stop.

But for Halliburton, the best healing is to go into the public eye and spend time with children wearing training camp T-shirts with his name and smiling.

"Many kids came to tell me that I was on the playoffs, and I went to another game," Halliburton laughed so hard that he couldn't stop, "I think this will make them understand that I'm not the mysterious existence they imagined. I also had this kind of longing for stars when I was as old as them. So it feels great to be able to stand here and get along and communicate with the kids. I enjoyed this atmosphere so much. "

(NBA)