Tyrese Haliburton’s first trip back to the Paycom Center since Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals looked a lot like a reminder. The Pacers’ preseason matchup with the Thunder turned into a 114-112 Oklahoma City win in overtime, but Haliburton’s return after missing Saturday’s home game against the Hawks was the headliner.
Indiana was short-handed, too. Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker and T.J.
McConnell all sat, which thinned out the guard group and pushed Rick Carlisle into some bigger early lineups. That also meant more time to evaluate Haliburton, Siakam and Zubac in a game that was every bit as lively as a preseason contest could be.
Haliburton wasted no time making his presence felt. In the opening quarter, he went a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor for 11 points, while also adding a block and an assist.
His first basket came off a Zubac screen on the baseline, with the space Zubac created making the pull-up 14-footer look smooth. Haliburton then knocked down a 26-foot three off a Zubac assist, followed that with a 34-foot bomb from a Kelly Oubre Jr. pass, and later hit another three from 24 feet on a Zubac feed before leaving with about five minutes left in the period.
When the starters returned to open the second quarter, Haliburton’s workload jumped. He finished the frame 5-for-10 from the field for 13 points, added three rebounds and two assists, and capped the half with a strong block on Alex Caruso in the closing seconds.
He played the whole period, and by the end it was clear the minutes had taken a toll. His turnovers climbed from one to four in that stretch, but the longer run also gave him a useful test.
There were signs, too, that the work in rehab has paid off in smaller ways. Haliburton showed more comfort finishing with his left hand, something that stood out in a game where he repeatedly attacked and converted away from his usual right-hand tendency.
Haliburton, Siakam and Zubac did not play after halftime, but Haliburton still finished with 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting, including 4-for-6 from deep, plus three assists, four turnovers, three rebounds, two blocks and a plus-11.
Zubac also left a major impression, and if there were any lingering questions about how he fits, this game answered plenty of them. His screening, rebounding and passing were the main things that jumped off the page. In 18 minutes, he posted 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting, 13 rebounds - eight defensive and five offensive - five assists and three steals, with a plus-11.
The chemistry with Siakam stood out in particular. Siakam hit him with a clean entry pass from the left elbow for a score in the post, and later the two bigs traded alley-oops, a clear sign of how much more comfortable they’re getting together.
Zubac also clicked early with Haliburton. In the second quarter, he finished a pick-and-roll sequence by catching the ball just inside the free throw line and flipping in a floating jumper.
On another possession, he set a strong off-ball screen that freed Haliburton for one of those deep threes. The pair looked connected throughout the night.
There was also a useful look at Slawson, who got first-half minutes for the first time this preseason and made the most of them. His engine never really changes; he comes in at full speed and that brings the usual mix of flashes, mistakes and fouls.
But the defense is why he keeps drawing attention. Two minutes after checking in, he blocked Kenrich Williams at the rim by pinning the ball against the backboard and saving two points.
He followed that with a steal on Jalen Williams that led to an Obi Toppin basket in transition. Offensively, he still has work to do, but his hustle and defense continue to make him easy to pull for, and another year in Indiana could help him earn a spot on a 15-man roster.
In Other News...
LeBron Just Put All The Pressure On Tyrese Haliburtons Return
LeBron James has already added a fresh layer of intrigue to Indianas outlook by pointing to the Pacers comeback potential and tying it directly to Tyrese Haliburtons health. For a team that has built so much of its identity around Haliburtons playmaking and feel for the game, the timing matters as much as anything else. His recent return to five-on-five work after an Achilles injury is a notable step, and it has naturally revived bigger questions about where the Pacers can go once he is fully back.
Haliburtons importance goes beyond the box score because so much of Indianas offense runs through his decision-making and pace. The Pacers have other pieces expected to help them push back toward contender status, but the conversation keeps circling back to the guard who changes the ceiling when he is right. LeBrons comments only sharpened that reality, turning Haliburtons comeback into more than a routine injury update and into a central part of the Pacers larger hopes. [Read more 🡒]
Ivica Zubac Is Quieting One Big Pacers Concern Fast
Ivica Zubac has wasted little time giving the Pacers a feel for what they were after when they brought him over from the Clippers. In preseason play, he has already shown the kind of steady interior presence Indiana has been looking for, helping on the glass, setting solid screens and chipping in points around the rim. For a team that wanted more reliability in the paint, that kind of early impact matters.
The bigger picture is just as encouraging for Indiana because Zubac does not have to be the focal point to matter. His game is versatile enough to fit alongside the Pacers core pieces, and his ability to operate as a third option gives the offense another layer without forcing touches. If this early stretch is any indication, one of the teams biggest concerns is being addressed quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Haliburtons Return Adds Real Emotion To Pacers-Thunder
Tyrese Haliburtons return in the Pacers preseason opener carried a little more weight than a typical October tune-up. After missing the entire 2025-26 season because of the Achilles tendon injury he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Haliburton was back on the floor for Indiana, and the moment drew a human reaction from across the sideline as much as anything else.
Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged how severe the injury was and said he was happy to see Haliburton working his way back. The Thunder and Pacers are set to meet again in a preseason game Tuesday night, which gives the matchup an added layer after what Haliburton has already gone through and what both sides now know about the road back. [Read more 🡒]