INDIANAPOLIS – Tyrese Haliburton’s return to Oklahoma City went better than anyone could have hoped. The Pacers’ star point guard scored 24 points in just 18 minutes of the preseason game Tuesday, which the Pacers lost 114-112 in overtime to the Thunder.
Before both teams benched their regular starters for the second half and overtime, the Pacers led 61-59, and Haliburton was the main reason why. Tuesday was not only Haliburton’s first time playing in Oklahoma City since he tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, but it was also his first time back in the Paycom Center after he skipped the Pacers’ trip there in January.
On Thursday, Haliburton told media that when the preseason schedule originally came out, he planned not to play against the Thunder – instead waiting until the game counted on Feb. 5. But Haliburton missed the team’s second preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday after he tweaked his ankle, and he and the Pacers’ staff decided to have his return to Oklahoma City be in a preseason game.
“I thought I would feel something a little different or feel a type of way going in there, but I didn’t really think about it once I got in and started playing basketball,” Haliburton said. “It’s good to kind of rip the Band-Aid off, in a sense, and not allow that place to have that mental hold on me.”
Said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle: “I’m sure it was good to step out there, have that kind of game and be able to move forward – to today and then tomorrow and then the next few days. At this point, I don’t see the point in overanalyzing it. I understand the question, but he’s a professional. He treated the thing very professionally and went in there and played his (expletive) off.”
Haliburton’s dynamic half of action drew rare national attention from fans and media, even leading to a public apology from ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins. The 26-year-old said he got “tons of texts” during and after the game.
For Haliburton, he was pleased that he allowed the game to slow down for him after he felt that wasn’t the case in the team’s preseason opener on Oct. 7. Haliburton – who joked that he had to “sage the gym a little bit” before the game – felt that his calmer play benefited all the Pacers, especially center Ivica Zubac – who had 13 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
“All I talked about through Game 1 was just slowing down my pace and my adrenaline,” Haliburton said. “Being back on the floor and all the things that went into it, I think I was just excited to be out there; I think I was a little too excited.
“(I) spent a lot of the days of practice leading up to (Oklahoma City) trying to slow down within our five-on-five stuff. … I feel like I did a lot better job slowing down. I think that helped our group – not only just me – but it really helped Zu, I think, too.”
Haliburton’s connection with Zubac looked much improved from their first game together. Haliburton was able to use Zubac’s physical screens to hit a variety of jump shots, including four 3s. When Haliburton opted not to take shots after Zubac screened for him, he was able to find his new big man – who either got good looks at the rim or found other open Pacers.
What the Pacers got out of Haliburton and Zubac’s shared playing time Tuesday is what this duo can look like at its best. With the regular season approaching, the point guard and center must find that consistency with each other.
“I think we’ve always thought that it could be something that works really well,” Haliburton said. “And obviously, that’s the first time that you guys have seen it work that well – it’s only Game 2. So I think as time goes on, it will only get better. We’re just growing our synergy and our relationship every day and it’s gonna be a fun deal.”
With Haliburton back in the lineup, the Pacers look to recover from their franchise-worst 19-63 season and contend for a championship as they did in 2024-25. Tuesday’s game, against a Thunder team that has been the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference three years in a row, showed that the Pacers can get back there if their star performs at that level.
“It was very, very impressive,” Carlisle said. “There was no hesitation about playing, no hesitation about anything. He was extremely decisive when he stepped on the floor. A player like that changes so many things for a team, and it was great to see.”
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Tyrese Haliburton is back. His Oklahoma City return showed what that means for Pacers
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.