Tyrese Haliburton made a notable return on Wednesday night at a venue close to his college roots. He played for the Indiana Pacers in their 123-112 preseason victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa—the same arena where Haliburton spent two years as a standout player for Iowa State before being chosen as the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
This game marked Haliburton’s first appearance in over 16 months, following a severe injury when he tore his right Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. That decisive game was won by the Oklahoma City Thunder, preventing the Pacers from capturing their first-ever NBA championship. During that season, Haliburton had been averaging 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game.
The injury sidelined him for the entire 2025-26 season, during which the Pacers struggled mightily, ending with a franchise-worst record of 19-63. Despite the setback, Haliburton entered training camp optimistic and confident that he would face no limitations and resume his high level of play immediately.
“I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am right now,” Haliburton said late last month. “I’m a big believer in my work. I’ve put in an unbelievable amount of time to get to where I am today, so all my belief comes from that.”
In his comeback game, Haliburton contributed seven points and six assists over 16 minutes, quickly scoring his first basket on a smooth jumper from the elbow in the early minutes. To commemorate his return and hometown connection, Haliburton went the extra mile by purchasing tickets for the entire student section at Hilton Coliseum. The university then held a lottery allowing students to attend for free, distributed special Haliburton T-shirts, and had Haliburton speak to the crowd before the game.
Haliburton played for Iowa State from 2018 to 2020, averaging 15.2 points and 6.5 assists during his sophomore year and earning All-Big 12 honors. “I think it’ll be fun for everybody,” he said Tuesday before the game, “I know there’s nobody as passionate about Iowa State as the current students.”
The Pacers will kick off their regular season against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 21.
Fan Take: Haliburton’s return is huge not just for the Pacers but for basketball fans who appreciate seeing resilient talent bounce back from major injuries. His comeback symbolizes hope and determination in the sport, and if he returns to his previous form, it could redefine the Pacers’ trajectory and excite fans all season long.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
