Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was stunned to learn that his first game back from a torn Achilles tendon won't be on national TV.
"Name any other person that you compare to my level of a basketball player, wherever you have me ranked, if they tore their Achilles and missed 16 months, do you think that (first) game (back) would be on national television?" Haliburton said during an appearance on the "Numbers on the Board" podcast. "Do you think that game would be at home if not on national television? Do you think that game would be at New Orleans?
"When I saw the schedule, I was like, 'Oh, wow.' ... I was shocked to see that. But we move on."
Haliburton missed last season after tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The two-time All-Star averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 boards, and 1.4 steals across 73 appearances in 2024-25, earning his second All-NBA third-team nod.
Haliburton also had four game-winning shots during the Pacers' magical playoff run in 2025, bringing the team to within one victory of its first-ever NBA championship.
TYRESE HALIBURTON GIVES THE PACERS THE LEAD!
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2025
GET TO ABC NOW FOR THE FINISH! pic.twitter.com/l4SPrNspGG
Despite playing through a calf strain during the championship series versus the Thunder, the 6-foot-5 floor general was off to a hot start in Game 7 before suffering the devastating injury.
Indiana posted the Association's second-worst record (19-63) with Haliburton sidelined for all of last season.
The Pacers' roster has undergone several changes since Haliburton last suited up. Longtime center Myles Turner and key reserve Bennedict Mathurin are no longer with the club, though the team fortified its frontcourt with its midseason acquisition of Ivica Zubac and the addition of Kelly Oubre Jr. in free agency.
Indiana opens its upcoming campaign on the road on Oct. 21 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
