Tyrese Haliburton admitted there was no way to predict how his return to the court would feel. More than 16 months after suffering a torn Achilles during the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers guard returned Wednesday night and helped his team beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-112 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
Haliburton started and played 16 minutes, finishing with seven points, six assists, two steals and two blocks while shooting 3-of-8 from the field and 1-of-3 from three-point range.
Asked about the reception from the Iowa State crowd, Haliburton said the atmosphere exceeded his expectations.
“There’s no way to really predict what it was going to be,” Haliburton said. “I think it’s obviously the loudest preseason game I’ve ever been a part of. Probably be the loudest preseason game I’m ever a part of, but had a lot of fun.”
Haliburton spent his college career at Iowa State and embraced the school’s traditions throughout his return. He also joined the crowd for the fight song and other festivities after he was finished playing.
“I’m a Cyclone through and through,” Haliburton said. “Being a part of something like that is a lot of fun. Just being a part of all the traditions and stuff.”
The 26-year-old guard acknowledged that his first game back was not going to be completely smooth. Haliburton said the biggest adjustment was slowing himself down after dealing with the adrenaline of finally playing again.
“I feel like I’m just playing really fast right now,” he said. “It’s first game, but just got to slow down. I think there was just a lot of adrenaline. I was hyped to be out there, excited, but I just got to slow down a little bit.”
Haliburton explained that his reads were not necessarily moving too quickly. Instead, he felt that he was physically moving faster than he needed to.
“I don’t think my reads were moving fast necessarily as much as just I was moving really fast,” Haliburton said. “I just got to slow down, but it’ll happen with time and the only way to really replicate that is game reps against other guys.”
His return followed a 16-month rehabilitation process that Haliburton described as a “roller coaster” filled with difficult days.
“16 months is a long time. I’ve never went that long without playing basketball,” he said. “I feel like I learned a lot about myself.”
Haliburton said the experience also changed his perspective on basketball and life.
“I think my perspective on life, on basketball, has changed a lot through this injury,” he said. “I think that’s the biggest thing is it’s been easier for me to take a step back and be like, just appreciate the little things right now.”
Haliburton also discussed playing alongside Ivica Zubac, who started at center for Indiana. He believes their pick-and-roll combination will improve as he regains his timing.
“If I slow down and give him time to get a good clean hit, I’ll be open and it’ll be easier to make my reads,” Haliburton said. “It’ll come with time, but I’m really confident in it.”
Despite the rust, Haliburton said he was simply grateful to have game film to study again.
“I’m excited that there’s film on tape,” he said. “I’ll be able to watch film, good and bad. I’m excited about that. And just the process that comes with being great.”
Indiana improved to 1-0 in the preseason, with Aaron Nesmith leading the Pacers with 19 points and Jay Huff adding 16. Haliburton’s first game back was ultimately less about the statistics and more about completing the return he had spent 16 months working toward.
“I just kept feeling like, man, I’m playing again,” Haliburton said. “How thankful I am.”
