Tyrese Haliburton made an emotional and explosive return to Oklahoma City, scoring 24 points in 18 minutes as the Indiana Pacers lost a tight preseason game 114-112 to the Thunder on October 13. The game marked his first time back at Paycom Center since suffering a devastating Achilles injury in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton looked fully healthy, hitting four three-pointers and adding three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in a promising sign for the Pacers' season.
Haliburton wasted no time making an impact. He scored his 24 points on efficient 9-of-14 shooting from the field. His performance helped push a competitive game into overtime before the Pacers ultimately fell by two points. The last time he was on that court, he was carried off in tears after getting hurt just seven minutes into the championship decider. This visit was about rewriting that painful memory. Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault made a point to praise him after the final buzzer. "Shoutout to Haliburton, he looks great," Daigneault said. "That's a long road back for him. I was happy to see him out there, number one, and in that form."
The Pacers' preseason schedule has been a mixed bag. Before the Oklahoma City game, they lost 119-117 to the Atlanta Hawks on October 10. They opened their exhibition slate with a 123-112 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 7. These games are providing early tests for a revamped rotation.
Haliburton's health is everything for this franchise. He missed the entire 2025-26 season recovering, and the team plummeted to just 19 wins without him. His return to All-Star form is the single biggest factor in any playoff push. The two-time All-Star has made the team's ambitions clear. "I have my own internal expectations," Haliburton told reporters. "But our goal is to win a championship. That has never wavered." He is not alone in the mission. The Pacers will rely on a core featuring Pascal Siakam, newly acquired center Ivica Zubac, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith. Veterans like Kelly Oubre Jr., TJ McConnell, and Obi Toppin round out a deep group tasked with a massive improvement.
Seeing Haliburton move without restriction and shoot with confidence is the best possible news. His ability to run the pick and roll and create from the perimeter sets the tone for the entire offense. A successful season hinges on him staying on the court.
Indiana's attention immediately turns to its next preseason test. They host the Milwaukee Bucks at home on October 16. It's another chance for the core unit to build chemistry against elite competition. After the preseason concludes, the real work begins. The Pacers' aim is to climb from the bottom of the standings back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Haliburton's night in Oklahoma City was about more than a preseason scoreline. It was a powerful step forward from a moment that defined a franchise's heartbreak. His performance proved the physical recovery is complete. Now the basketball rebuild truly begins.
