'I'm gonna play': Tyrese Haliburton in for first back-to-back in return to home state

Tyrese Haliburton faces another mile-marker in his return from his June 2025 Achilles tendon tear on Monday when the Pacers will play the second night of a back-to-back for the first time this season against the Bucks in Milwaukee.Though Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has said they will be careful when it comes to managing Haliburton's workload as he regains NBA-level conditioning, Haliburton said he will certainly be available for Monday's game."I'm gonna play," Haliburton said in his on-floor postgame interview with Pacers sideline reporter Jeremiah Johnson on DAZN. "Of course I'm gonna play. There's been no conversation about it. I need to play through being tired right now, you know? It's going to help me as the season goes on." Instant analysis: Tyrese Haliburton, Jay Huff (yes, Jay Huff) lead Pacers to easy win vs NetsAnd, of course, Haliburton is specifically motivated to play because of where the game is. Haliburton grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, about 90 minutes away from Milwaukee and always has friends and family in the arena when the Pacers play the Bucks."We in Wisconsin, man," Haliburton said. "You know I'm not gonna miss playing in Wisconsin."Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 'I'm gonna play': Tyrese Haliburton in for first back-to-back in return to home state