After 16 long months away from live action, Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton finally stepped back onto an NBA floor on Wednesday night. Playing in a preseason clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Hilton Coliseum, the home of his college alma mater, Iowa State University, Haliburton gave fans a vivid reminder of why he remains the heartbeat of the franchise.
Suiting up for the first time since tearing his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Haliburton played 16 energetic minutes. While his shooting rhythm understandably showed some early rust, the All-Star playmaker still put his elite court vision on full display. He recorded seven points, six assists, two blocks, and one steal while shooting 3-of-8 from the field and 1-of-3 from three-point range. His steady passing helped propel Indiana to a 123-112 victory over Minnesota.
Haliburton ensured the evening felt like a true homecoming by personally buying out the student section so Iowa State students could attend for free. After the game, the guard opened up about the heavy mental toll and emotional growth that accompanied his long road back.
Article Continues Below“It's been a rollercoaster, a rollercoaster of emotions for me,” Haliburton said. “I've had a lot of hard days but I think it's all just a part of it….16 months is a long time, I've never went along without playing basketball you know? So I feel like I learned a lot about myself…… So I think my perspective on life and basketball has changed a lot through this injury.”
As Indiana prepares for the upcoming regular season, getting their franchise cornerstone back in uniform completely reshapes the team's ceiling. Haliburton will need time to regain his peak conditioning, but his successful return in Ames represents a crucial first step forward for both the point guard and the Pacers.