Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton returned to the basketball court 473 days after suffering an Achilles tendon tear, playing 16 minutes in a 123-112 preseason victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. The franchise star registered 7 points, 6 assists, and 2 blocks in his first game action since June 22, 2025.
Hilton Coliseum Hosts the Long-Awaited Comeback
The return took place at the home arena of Iowa State University, where Haliburton played collegiately from 2018 to 2020. The guard purchased all available tickets for the student section to ensure local undergraduates could attend the matchup without charge. Fans began queueing outside the venue the night before tipoff to secure entry, with some supporters starting to wait from 23:00 the previous night.
“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for me… I think my perspective on life has changed,” Haliburton said in comments shared by the NBA. Following the contest, the guard added that the atmosphere surpassed any preseason environment he had experienced previously, noting that it was the loudest preseason match he had ever taken part in.
Rust and Recovery on the Floor
Haliburton connected on 3 of 8 shots from the field during his time on the court, which was restricted entirely to the first half, and also recorded 1 steal. The playmaker acknowledged feeling that his body was moving at an accelerated pace compared to his internal processing speed, comparing himself to a rookie and noting that his ability to interpret what was happening on the floor continued at its usual speed while his physical actions felt too fast. “I was excited to be out there, excited, but I just have to calm down a little bit,” Haliburton explained after the final whistle.
The Timberwolves tested Indiana’s rotation deep into the match, led by Anthony Edwards with 19 points and Jaden McDaniels with 16. LaMelo Ball added 14 points and 7 assists for Minnesota. Meanwhile, newcomer Trey Lyles contributed 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 12 minutes of action following his summer signing on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, after previously spending ten seasons across five different franchises: the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, and Detroit Pistons, before a spell with Real Madrid.
Parallel Recoveries Across the League
Haliburton’s return mirrored another high-profile comeback from an Achilles injury. Rather than returning to Milwaukee, Lillard reappeared for the Portland Trail Blazers, the team that drafted him in 2012 and with whom he spent eleven seasons before moving to Milwaukee to chase a championship ring alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Lillard scored 15 points with a 3 of 8 performance from three-point range in a 123-118 victory over the Golden State Warriors alongside Ja Morant, more than 520 days after his final appearance.
Gradual Workload Ahead for Indiana
As the preseason continues, the Pacers training staff plans to incrementally elevate Haliburton’s conditioning and playing time as he recovers the competitive rhythm lost from that injury in the 2025 Finals. The franchise aims to rebuild its backcourt chemistry following a difficult campaign during the previous season where the team took a vacation from the rest of the league and managed only 19 victories in 82 matches without reaching the playoffs, ensuring their primary playmaker regains full competitive rhythm before the official regular-season schedule tips off.
Fans Chant for Haliburton to Return to Court
During the final period while Haliburton remained seated on the bench, students began chanting We want Hali
to demand his return to the court. The player’s response made it clear his night was finished as he pointed toward his feet to show his basketball shoes were already in the locker room while he wore white sandals with socks, prompting fans to insist with another chant: Put your shoes on
.
