Tyrese Haliburton Returns in Pacers FanJam Scrimmage

Tyrese Haliburton has returned to the Indiana Pacers after missing the 2025–26 season with a torn Achilles suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and says he is fully healthy and ready to play without restrictions. His return could lift a team that went 19–63 without him back toward contention, though analysts caution that his recovery and how the team incorporates new center Ivica Zubac remain key questions; one projection puts Indiana at 43.5 wins. The Pacers retain Pascal Siakam and several players from their Finals run, but replacing Myles Turner with the more traditional, rebounding-focused Zubac could change their style. Haliburton’s return also restores a central engine for Indiana’s fast-paced offense, while reserve center Jay Huff is expected to back up Zubac.