8 Points, 9 Seconds

There was one primary question that needed to be answered before anyone could realistically speak about this season for the Indiana Pacers. That question mark still exists today, and its name is Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton is returning from an Achilles tear that he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals two years ago. It had been over 400 days since he last played.

The Indiana Pacers are set to face the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. This game will not be a rematch of any meaningful playoff series, nor will it be a meeting of rivals. However, in a similar way to how the Pacers' first preseason matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves was a test against a mirror image of their own team, the Hawks provide an interesting foil for the Pacers and what they do best Both the Pacers and the Hawks put such a major priority on creating on the fast break.

The Indiana Pacers achieved as much roster stability as they could manage between the 2024-25 and 2026-27 seasons. With Tyrese Haliburton missing the entire 2025-26 campaign due to an Achilles tear, Indiana sought to ensure that he would return to a group he recognized—and potentially pick up where he left off when he led the team to the 2025 NBA Finals. One of the biggest roster losses from Haliburton's last healthy season, however, could prove challenging to replace: Myles Turner.

The Indiana Pacers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in a preseason game on Wednesday evening, to the tune of 123 to 112. It was the first game in a very long time for Tyrese Haliburton, and a shorter (but still long) time for Aaron Nesmith. Weirdly, the Timberwolves were the perfect test for both those two players and the entire team's structure, as they offer a bit of a mirror to what the Pacers are doing. They both plan on moving in transition, spurred on by their maestro point guard.

How soon will Indiana Pacers fans know if their team is on its way to a good season? History says we’ll have a pretty good idea by Thanksgiving weekend. Basketball wisdom says the 2026-27 Pacers surely need time to build on-court chemistry with so many players either new to the roster or returning from injuries. Basketball history says they need to figure it out quickly. Ideally within the first 20 games. Lucky number 13 Indiana will have 20 games in the books by the end of November.

“When you’re out for as long as [Tyrese] Haliburton was out, people do tend to forget about you. Now that he’s coming back, he has to make them remember what he was back in the day and get back to that level.” Byron Scott has one of the most interesting career arcs of any player turned coach. He was a key role player on the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers and a part of the trade return for All-Star Stormin' Norm Nixon.

On Wednesday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers met at a preseason game in Hilton Coliseum on Iowa State's campus. It was the first game Tyrese Haliburton had played since he tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The Pacers came away victorious, winning 123-112, but there were some things that clearly stood out as priorities going into what may be the most consequential season in Pacers history.

The Indiana Pacers played their first preseason game on Wednesday night, winning 123-112 over the Minnesota Timberwolves. While there's so much to focus on for that game, the standout performer was no doubt former Pacers top-10 pick Jarace Walker. The Houston product led the team in assists, plus-minus, and minutes.

It's easy to say you need to hit the ground running. It is easy to claim that the passage of time and the difficulties you once faced are no more than something to shrug off and move past. Maybe we get this in basketball discourse because of 2K, where players do not have meaningful step backs from injury and instead just return as they once were. Injuries are a number of days to wait, not a meaningful mental and physical struggle to overcome.

Jalen Slawson is one of the best developmental stories the Indiana Pacers have had in a long time. While he's no Andrew Nembhard, he has saved his career after being cut by both the Sacramento Kings and the Orlando Magic, and is starting to become a real NBA player. Slawson was one of the breakout young guys of summer league. He averaged over 20 points per game, and while the Pacers were not very good in Las Vegas, it was impressive to see the way Slawson attacked the rim and shot off the dribble.