The Indiana Pacers are banking on Tyrese Haliburton's return to propel them back into NBA Finals contention for the 2026-27 season.
Can Tyrese Haliburton lead the Pacers back to the top?
Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Before the injury, he was one of the league's elite players. He averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 47.3% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range.
His playmaking and efficient scoring are central to Indiana's offensive identity. Getting him back on the court changes everything for this team's ceiling. You can track his recovery progress and the team's latest updates on our injuries page.
How has the Pacers' roster changed?
Indiana kept its core from that Finals run. Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, TJ McConnell, and Obi Toppin all return. The biggest change is at center. Myles Turner left for Milwaukee in free agency, and the Pacers acquired Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Zubac brings a different skill set. He averaged 14.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 59.8% shooting last season. He's a stronger screener, rebounder, and rim protector than Turner, who excelled as a floor-spacing defender. The addition of forward Kelly Oubre Jr. adds more wing depth.
What stands in their way in the Eastern Conference?
The path through the East is brutally difficult. Other contenders made massive moves. The Miami Heat traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. The Toronto Raptors are likely to add Kawhi Leonard.
Then there are the defending champion New York Knicks. You can see how the race shapes up in the standings.
Are the Pacers true title contenders?
They have the pieces. Haliburton and Siakam form an All-Star duo. The roster has proven depth and playoff experience from their recent Finals appearance. Zubac's interior presence could be an upgrade.
But it's a huge ask. Haliburton must return to his pre-injury form immediately. The team must gel with its new center and withstand a historically stacked conference. The Pacers are in the mix, but claiming the title will require navigating the toughest landscape in recent NBA memory.
