The Indiana Pacers are back at full strength for the 2026-27 NBA season, with Tyrese Haliburton's return from injury restoring championship aspirations. Their preseason form shows promise, including a 123-112 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 7, though they fell 117-119 to the Atlanta Hawks in a tight preseason contest on October 10. The team's immediate focus is their next preseason fixture against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 13.
Everything revolves around Tyrese Haliburton. His devastating Achilles injury in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals derailed a dream season. Without him and after losing Myles Turner in free agency, the Pacers endured a planned reset, finishing 19-63 in 2025-26. That difficult year allowed for player development and a major trade for center Ivica Zubac. Haliburton's health is the single biggest factor for Indiana's success. His pick-and-roll chemistry with Zubac will be vital for the offense. The core from that Finals run remains, now supplemented by the veteran big man.
The trade for Ivica Zubac last February was the defining transaction, but its full cost was felt this summer. To get Zubac and Kobe Brown, Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and multiple picks to the LA Clippers. A protected 2026 first-round pick landed at No. 5, just outside the protection, and went to Los Angeles. In a deep draft, the Pacers walked away without a selection. Mathurin, averaging 17.8 points before the trade, was a restricted free agent the team felt they couldn't afford. He later signed with New Orleans.
Another subtle loss was Micah Potter. The stretch big shot 42.3% from three during the 2025-26 season, putting up 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 47 games. Indiana waived him in July for cap space to sign Larry Nance Jr., and Portland claimed Potter off waivers. Losing a reliable shooter for a 36-year-old on a minimum deal is a risk if injuries hit the frontcourt.
Expectations in Indianapolis are sky-high again. The goal is a return to the NBA Finals. The preseason results, like the 123-112 victory over Minnesota, offer early glimpses of the team's potential. However, the narrow 117-119 loss to Atlanta also highlights areas to fine-tune before the real games begin. The Pacers believe their depth and experience, combined with a healthy Haliburton, make them contenders.
The front office treated the last season as a gap year, and now the bill has come due. The success of the Zubac trade hinges entirely on his fit with Haliburton. If their two-man game clicks, the deal will be viewed as a win despite the lost draft capital. The team's performance can be tracked on our stats page throughout the year.
The immediate task is finalizing rotations in their remaining preseason games, culminating with the away game against Oklahoma City on October 13. That matchup carries extra weight, as the Thunder were the opponent in that fateful Game 7. It's a final test before the regular season grind begins. Their journey starts now.
