Tyrese Haliburton made his long-awaited return to the basketball court Wednesday night, playing his first game in more than 16 months as the Indiana Pacers opened their preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 26-year-old guard had been sidelined since suffering a torn right Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. His return came at a particularly meaningful location: Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, the home of his former college team, Iowa State.
Haliburton played 16 minutes in Indiana’s 123-112 victory and finished with 7 points, 6 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. He shot 3-for-8 from the field and 1-for-3 from three-point range as he began working his way back into game shape.
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The game marked Haliburton’s first live action in roughly 16 months. Before returning, he had repeatedly expressed confidence in his recovery and said he was fully healthy without restrictions.
Playing in front of the Iowa State crowd made the occasion even more special. Haliburton spent two seasons with the Cyclones before entering the NBA, and he helped turn his comeback into a celebration by arranging free tickets for students on both ends of the arena.
The crowd welcomed him enthusiastically as he returned to competitive action for the first time since his devastating injury.
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Haliburton’s seven points were not the most important part of the night. After such a lengthy absence, the Pacers were primarily interested in seeing how he moved, handled contact and responded physically to live competition.
His passing remained a major positive. He recorded six assists during his limited minutes and showed flashes of the playmaking ability that has made him one of Indiana’s most important players.
The Pacers are hoping Haliburton’s return can help spark a turnaround after a difficult 2025-26 campaign. Indiana finished last season with a 19-63 record, the worst mark in franchise history, after reaching the NBA Finals the previous year.
Looking Ahead
Haliburton’s first preseason appearance represents only the beginning of his comeback. The Pacers are expected to manage his workload carefully as he continues rebuilding his conditioning and confidence.
For Indiana, however, simply seeing its star guard back on the court is an important milestone.
After more than 16 months away, Haliburton has taken the first step toward returning to the player who helped lead the Pacers to the NBA Finals. His seven-point performance was modest, but his presence on the court was the biggest story of the night.