Tyrese Haliburton returns from Achilles injury in preseason game in Ames, where he bought out the Iowa State student section

Tyrese Haliburton made his return at a familiar place on Wednesday night.

Haliburton took the court in the Indiana Pacers' 123-112 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to open their preseason slate on Wednesday night at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Haliburton spent two years playing for the Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum before he was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in 2020. 

At a loss for words trying to describe tonight. 16 months from hell, but Ames, Iowa was the perfect place to get back to it. I’m a Loyal Son, Forever True. Love y’all forever @IowaStateU❤️💛

— Tyrese Haliburton (@Hali) October 8, 2026

The contest marked Haliburton's first in more than 16 months. He tore his right Achilles during Game 7 of the NBA Finals in 2025. The Oklahoma City Thunder eventually won that game, which stopped the Pacers from claiming what would have been their first NBA championship. Haliburton averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game that season. 

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The injury then knocked Haliburton out for the entire 2025-26 campaign. The Pacers finished with just a 19-63 record without him, which marked their worst outing in franchise history. 

But after a year out of action, Haliburton entered training camp confident he'd have no restrictions and be ready to pick up right where he left off.

"I've worked really hard to get to where I am right now," Haliburton said late last month. "I'm a big believer in my work. I've put in an unbelievable amount of time to get to where I am today, so all my belief comes from that."

Haliburton finished with seven points and six assists in the 16 minutes that he played. He got his first bucket almost instantly, hitting an easy jumper from the elbow in the opening minutes.

Tyrese Haliburton's first bucket back after tearing his Achilles in the 2025 Finals 🙏

He got to do it in Ames, Iowa where he played college basketball at Iowa State ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jh8oz6AcdB

— ESPN (@espn) October 7, 2026

Haliburton took an extra step to embrace his homecoming before Wednesday night. He actually purchased tickets for the entire student section at Hilton Coliseum, and the university held a lottery for students to attend the game for free. Fans got special Haliburton shirts, and Haliburton addressed the crowd before the game.

"I love you guys so much. Iowa State is so special to me." 💛

Tyrese Haliburton addressed the crowd before tonight's game at his alma mater Iowa State. pic.twitter.com/2uZkG17eew

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 7, 2026

Iowa State showing up LOUD & PROUD for Tyrese Haliburton’s return to the floor at his alma mater 👏

Watch Wolves/Pacers on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/S7l8bsAfAK

— NBA (@NBA) October 8, 2026

Haliburton played for the Cyclones from 2018-2020. He averaged 15.2 points and 6.5 assists per game during his second season while earning All-Big 12 honors.

"I think it'll be fun for everybody," Haliburton said Tuesday before the game, via ESPN. "I know there's nobody as passionate about Iowa State as the current students."

The Pacers will open the regular season against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 21.