Medical expert links Haliburton's hamstring strain to Achilles recovery

A 2017 study of elite athletes provides a medical basis for the connection between Tyrese Haliburton's recent hamstring strain and his ongoing recovery from right Achilles surgery. Sports medicine expert Ralph Reiff told WTLC-FM's Query & Company that the research supports his view that the two injuries are linked.

Haliburton is currently managing a strained left hamstring while working back from the 2026 season's Achilles repair. Reiff stated that the body compensates for the lost function in the repaired tendon by shifting load to other areas. He pointed to findings from the 2017 study, which identified increased stress on the opposite knee and the hamstring due to additional load on the hip.

"The nervous system, the brain, doesn't forget that the Achilles tendon was ruptured," Reiff said. Host Jake Query compared the situation to an IndyCar running one tire at a higher pressure, which shifts the load onto another corner of the vehicle. Reiff agreed with the analogy and noted that Kevin Durant also missed games with a hamstring issue in the season following his own Achilles injury.

Reiff described hamstring injuries as among the most difficult to manage in professional sports. The primary challenge is that medical staff cannot fully test an athlete's readiness without the player going at full speed during a game. He cited data showing that 26 NBA players have appeared on injury reports with hamstring issues so far this season, accounting for 39 total cases.

The specialist also referenced research indicating a 380 percent higher risk of re-injury for players who have previously suffered a hamstring tear. Despite these statistics, Reiff believed Haliburton was extremely well managed during his return to play. He said the hamstring issue surfaced in a postgame conversation with medical staff rather than during an in-game incident.

Reiff characterized the postgame report as a "check engine light" moment that players should speak up about. He encouraged athletes to adopt the mindset that they are the CEO of their own bodies. The Pacers are scheduled to continue their regular season slate with Haliburton on the active roster, pending medical clearance for the hamstring strain.

The discussion aired on the 107.5 The Fan YouTube channel. The source article also noted that Haliburton made a strong return in a previous game where the Pacers defeated the Pelicans 123-120.