Tyrese Haliburton’s first night back in a Pacers uniform came with a little emotion, a little rust, and a lot of gratitude.
Before Indiana tipped off its preseason opener at Hilton Coliseum in Iowa on Wednesday, Haliburton made sure to soak in the moment. The building mattered to him.
So did the crowd. And after more than a year away from game action, he let the fans know exactly how much it meant.
“We’re so thankful that you guys came; it’s been 472 days since I’ve played a game of basketball. I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else, except for my second home,” said Hali.
“I love you guys so much, and I appreciate the patience of this organization. Let’s have some fun!”
The return also carried a full-circle feel. Haliburton played his college basketball there, and stepping back onto that floor clearly hit him. He said the emotions came rushing in as he walked in, remembering how it felt as a freshman just hoping for a chance to wear an Iowa State uniform.
“I got kind of emotional walking in here, because when I came here as a freshman, I just wanted to get on the court in an Iowa State uniform, let alone be able to have enough juice to play an NBA game here,” said Haliburton. “I think that’s crazy. So, all those things and putting that into perspective matters to me, and I’m just excited to be here.”
The comeback comes after Haliburton’s Achilles tear in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, a brutal setback that interrupted what had been a strong 2024-25 season. He was averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. At 26, he’s still young enough to rebuild the rhythm and strength that made him one of the league’s top point guards, and he’ll lean on advice from Kevin Durant and others as he works through that process.
There was at least one immediate sign that the touch is still there. In the opening minute against the Timberwolves, Haliburton buried an elbow jumper to put Indiana on the board.
It was only one shot, but it was enough to remind everyone what this looks like when he starts finding his groove again. The Pacers will keep easing him back in, using the preseason as a controlled runway rather than rushing the process. With opening night still weeks away, the focus is on helping Haliburton settle in and regain his timing before the games count for real.
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