Tyrese Haliburton Set for Emotional Return as Pacers Open Preseason Against Timberwolves

Tyrese Haliburton is set to play his first game in 472 days tonight when the Indiana Pacers face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Ames, Iowa, completing his comeback from the torn Achilles that ended his 2025 NBA Finals.

Tyrese Haliburton Set for Emotional Return as Pacers Open Preseason Against Timberwolves

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is set to play a competitive game for the first time in 472 days tonight, when the Pacers face the Minnesota Timberwolves at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, at 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV.

The All-NBA guard last played on June 22, 2025, tearing his Achilles tendon in the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals, which the Pacers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Haliburton then missed the entire 2025-26 season, during which Indiana endured an avalanche of early injuries and stumbled to a franchise-worst 19 wins.

The setting adds emotion to the comeback: Hilton Coliseum is the home of the Iowa State Cyclones, Haliburton's college team, giving his return the feel of a homecoming.

Most of the core that reached the 2025 Finals is back. Ivica Zubac is expected to start at center, while newcomers Kelly Oubre Jr., Larry Nance Jr. and rookie Braden Smith join the group. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, bring a remade backcourt of their own into the evening.

Indiana's preseason schedule continues Saturday against Atlanta, then visits Oklahoma City on Oct. 13 before the regular season tips off Oct. 21 at New Orleans.