Full Breakdown
Tyrese Haliburton’s Emotional Return to the Paycom Center
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
On June 22, 2025, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center. The injury forced him to miss the entire 2025-26 season. After more than a year of rehabilitation, Haliburton re-entered NBA action in a preseason contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 7, 2026, before missing the next game with a minor ankle issue.
Core Event: First Preseason Game Back in Oklahoma City
Haliburton’s first appearance in Oklahoma City since the injury came on Oct 13, 2026 in a preseason matchup versus the Thunder. He played 18 minutes, scoring 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting (4-of-6 from three-point range), adding three assists, three rebounds and two blocks. The Pacers fell 114-112 in overtime, but Haliburton’s performance dominated the first half, where he posted 19 points after ten minutes of play.
Data & Statistics
- Points: 24 (9-of-14 FG, 4-of-6 3PT)
- Rebounds: 3
- Blocks: 2
- Plus-minus: +11
- Team outcome: 114-112 overtime loss; Pacers 1-2 in preseason.
Other notable contributions: Ivica Zubac recorded 13 points, 13 rebounds and five assists; Kelly Oubre Jr., Jay Huff, and Kobe Brown each reached double-digit scoring.
Official Statements & Responses
Carlisle also highlighted Zubac’s impact, calling his screening “a major plus for us.”
The Thunder’s home crowd gave Haliburton a warm reception, acknowledging the emotional weight of his return to the venue where his career-changing injury occurred.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I thought I would feel maybe a little more emotion coming in here. I don't know if sadness or scared or whatever, but once the ball jumped up, just felt like normal. The shoot-around felt normal,” — Tyrese Haliburton
- “It was exciting to be back out on the floor, just trying to play the right way,” — Tyrese Haliburton
- “Second half, both teams battled like crazy,” — Rick Carlisle, pacers coach
What’s Next
The Pacers are scheduled to host the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday for their final preseason contest before the regular season opens in New Orleans on Oct. 21, 2026. Haliburton is expected to continue his role as the team’s primary playmaker as Indiana seeks to improve on a 19-win season that placed the franchise near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.