Tyrese Haliburton shines in emotional NBA preseason return to Oklahoma City

The NBA returns in just seven days, and with the new season so close, teams are ramping up their stars as the preseason wraps up. One of the biggest questions throughout every NBA preseason is which teams will take a leap from the year before.The biggest riser candidate is the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers essentially punted on last season with star guard Tyrese Haliburton recovering from a torn Achilles. Indiana finished with the league’s second-worst record last year, winning just 19 games. MORE: Tyrese Haliburton’s return impacts Eastern Conference in major way The torn Achilles Haliburton was recovering from occurred in the 2025 NBA Finals. In Game 7 in Oklahoma City, Haliburton started hot, scoring nine points in seven minutes and hitting 3-for-4 from three. However, Haliburton wouldn’t get to finish the biggest game of his life, as he tore his Achilles in the first quarter and missed the rest of the game. Haliburton hasn’t set foot in that building since the injury, and he didn’t even join the Pacers on last season’s trip to OKC. Now with preseason basketball in session, the Pacers took a visit back to Paycom Center in OKC on Tuesday night. It’s safe to say Haliburton didn’t waste any time picking up where he left off and looks as healthy as he’s ever been.Tyrese Haliburton dominates 1st half in return to OKCSep 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) poses for a photo during media day. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Back at the crash site, Haliburton wasted no time returning to the rhythm he found during the NBA Finals. In 18 minutes, Haliburton showed a bit of everything, finding his teammates, hitting deep threes, and scoring off the dribble with ease. With 24 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 9-for-14 shooting, and 4-for-6 from long range, Haliburton looks like the All-NBA player fans remember. Haliburton scored 11 of those 24 points in the first half of the first quarter, starting the game 4-for-4. This must be a huge sigh of relief, and an even bigger confidence boost for Haliburton. Coming into a building with such heavy emotions attached to it and balling out the way Haliburton did is super impressive and shows his mental toughness.The Pacers will be right in the thick of things for the top of the Eastern Conference. Haliburton’s return, along with adding Ivica Zubac at center, will let Indiana compete with the league’s best. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —