Hilton Coliseum is set to host an NBA preseason game next season, and the matchup comes with a built-in Iowa State connection.
The Pacers and Timberwolves will meet in Ames on Oct. 7, 2026, giving Cyclones fans a chance to see Tyrese Haliburton back on his old college floor. Haliburton spent two seasons at Iowa State, and his presence is part of the reason the game makes sense in Ames. The Timberwolves also have a clear Iowa following, helped by their closeness to Minneapolis and the fact that the Iowa Wolves, their G League affiliate, play in Des Moines.
There’s another name that could make the night even more meaningful for Iowa State fans: Tamin Lipsey.
Lipsey, who grew up in Ames and played at Ames High School before spending four years with the Cyclones, just wrapped up a career that made him one of the defining guards in program history. He averaged double-digit points in three of his four seasons and never dipped below three assists per game in any year. More than the numbers, he was the steady force and emotional center of the team for a long stretch.
His senior season in 2025-26 ended with a Sweet Sixteen run, a final chapter that helped lock in his place among the best players Iowa State has ever had.
After college, Lipsey signed with the Pacers and played in two Summer League games. He averaged 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in that stint, and while those numbers don’t jump off the page, they left him in the mix for a possible roster spot heading into next season.
It’s not yet confirmed whether Lipsey will be on the Pacers roster, but if he is, the scene in Ames would be hard to top. The hometown guard who led his high school to a state championship and helped guide the Cyclones to multiple Sweet Sixteens and a Big 12 Championship could get one more chance to play in front of the fans who watched him grow up.
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