Tyrese Haliburton will play in the Pacers' third preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night. Haliburton missed Saturday's preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks after tweaking his right ankle in the preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Ames, Iowa.
Haliburton has returned to Oklahoma City for the first time since he tore his right Achilles against the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 22, 2025. The Thunder won the game 103-91 to deny the Pacers' their first NBA championship, while Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season as the Pacers had a franchise-worst 19-63 campaign.
Despite traveling with the team for most of their road trips last season, Haliburton didn't attend the Pacers' road game in Oklahoma City in January. NBA on Prime host Taylor Rooks said she communicated with Haliburton ahead of that game, she said, "He does not think he is ready to go back there yet. He said, 'It's something I still think about for sure.' He would like the next time that he goes back to be when he can play and get lost in competing and playing the game that he loves rather than staring at that spot on the floor the whole game."
Haliburton is set to make his official debut in a game that counts when the Pacers begin the regular season on Oct. 21 on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pacers will then have their home opener on Oct. 23 against the Dallas Mavericks.
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: Is Tyrese Haliburton playing vs Thunder in Pacers preseason game? The latest on his injury status