Full Breakdown
Haliburton’s First Game Back Overlooked by NBA’s National-TV Schedule
8/16/2026, 6:19:03 AM
Opening-Night Scheduling Discontent
Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton expressed surprise after the NBA released its upcoming season slate, noting that his first appearance following a torn Achilles will occur on the road and will not be part of the league’s nationally televised lineup. He questioned why a player returning from a 16-month rehab would not receive a marquee broadcast slot.
Injury Background and Season Absence
Haliburton suffered the Achilles injury in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury forced him to miss the entire 2025-26 campaign, during which the Pacers posted a 19-63 record. His rehabilitation kept him off the court for 16 months, a timeline he highlighted when discussing the schedule.
Schedule Details and Broadcast Allocation
The league’s release placed the Pacers’ season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans as an away game, while the two nationally televised contests on opening night feature the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors at the Los Angeles Lakers. Indiana’s first nationally televised game is slated for a later October matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, who will be led by LeBron James. The Pelicans, who finished 26-56 last season, rank No. 26 in average home attendance, underscoring the modest market profile of both teams.
Haliburton’s Direct Remarks
- “Name any other person that you compare to my level of a basketball player, wherever you have me ranked, if they tore their Achilles and missed 16 months, do you think that [first game back] would be on national TV?” — Tyrese Haliburton
- “Name any other person that you compare to my level of a basketball player, wherever you have me ranked. If they tore their Achilles and missed 16 months, do you think that game would be on national television?” — Tyrese Haliburton
These statements capture Haliburton’s view that the scheduling decision reflects a broader perception of the Pacers as a small-market franchise and suggests he feels the league undervalues his return.
