The Indiana Pacers’ first season back in the hunt comes with a quirky date on the calendar: a January 7, 2027 road game against the Atlanta Hawks that will double as Atlanta’s “Single AF Night.”
That matchup is one of the more unusual theme nights on the schedule, with the Hawks planning an event meant to bring single fans together and give them a chance to mingle during the game. The Pacers will be the visitors in the building when it happens.
For Indiana, the game fits into a season that already feels like a reset. After missing the playoffs and finishing with just 19 wins a year ago, the Pacers are trying to climb back toward the top of the Eastern Conference. A major reason for that optimism is the return of star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is expected back after injury and ready to take the floor again.
“Chomping at the bit. I can't wait,” Haliburton said.
“Everybody always feels the summer is really long. Like, 'Wow, I can't wait to get back'.
Well, I've had that for double, triple the amount of time as everybody else. So I can't wait to get back on the floor.”
Haliburton’s comeback gives Indiana a real shot to turn the page. The Pacers are looking to prove they can stack up with the teams they should beat, and games like this one against Atlanta matter in that chase. The Hawks are projected to be back in the playoff mix, but they are not usually viewed as a true championship threat.
Indiana’s bigger goal is much higher than that. With Haliburton back, the Pacers believe they can move back into title contention, and the guard knows he has plenty to prove as he returns from a long absence. The last time he played, Indiana came within one win of a championship, and the hope is that the team can push back toward that level again.
The Pacers will begin the 2026-27 season on October 21 on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans. Two nights later, on October 23, they’ll host the Dallas Mavericks, giving fans their first chance to see Haliburton back in an Indiana uniform.
In Other News...
Pacers Could Exploit Portlands Roster Crunch For A Needed Upgrade
Portlands trade for Ja Morant has created a logjam that could force the Trail Blazers to make some uncomfortable choices with the rest of their roster. With multiple players now fighting for limited minutes, the Blazers may have to look at ways to rebalance the rotation, and that kind of squeeze often opens the door to deals involving veterans and younger pieces alike. For a Pacers team always looking for ways to tighten the edges of its roster, that is the sort of situation worth watching.
Indiana has needs of its own, and Portlands crunch could put some appealing names within reach. Jrue Holiday, Vit Kreji and other pieces could become part of the conversation if the Blazers decide they need more clarity in their lineup, while the Pacers would also be keeping an eye on larger swings involving Toumani Camara, Shaedon Sharpe or Scoot Henderson. Nothing is settled yet, but the overlap between Portlands surplus and Indianas needs makes this one of those trade lanes that can shift quickly if the Blazers decide to act. [Read more 🡒]
Pascal Siakam Faces A Bigger Pacers Question Than Any Ranking
Pascal Siakams place in the league conversation still looks sturdy, even if the broader Pacers outlook is shifting around him. HoopsHype ranked him No. 8 among NBA power forwards heading into the 2026-27 season, a nod to the blend of scoring, size and versatility he brought to Indiana after producing 24 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last season.
The more interesting Pacers question is how that production looks once Tyrese Haliburton is back in the mix and the offense regains its usual shape. Siakams game has always fit best when he can attack from different spots and punish mismatches, but the return of another high-end creator changes the balance of touches, reads and late-game responsibility in a way Indiana will have to sort out quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Jarace Walker Might Be Facing His Biggest Pacers Season Yet
Jarace Walker already gave the Pacers a reason to believe last season, putting together career highs in points, rebounds and assists while carving out a larger role in the rotation. Now, as Bleacher Reports Greg Swartz sees it, he has a chance to be Indianas top breakout candidate for the 2026-27 season, a spot that speaks to how much the franchise thinks his game can still grow.
The path wont be as simple as a clean runway into the starting five, though. With Tyrese Haliburton expected back and Indiana projecting a first unit of Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac, Walker is set to come off the bench for now, which makes his next leap even more interesting. If the Pacers do make roster changes around him, the question becomes whether Walker can turn a stronger reserve role into the kind of season that changes his standing in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]