Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) looks to shoot over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain, right, during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
OKLAHOMA CITY — Tyrese Haliburton made a statement in his return to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Indiana Pacers All-Star scored 24 points in the first half alone during Tuesday night’s overtime loss to the Thunder.
This was Haliburton’s first trip to OKC since tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Last season, Haliburton skipped the trip with the team, saying he didn’t want to return until he was fully healthy.
478 days, one surgery and one battle with shingles later, Haliburton was [greeted with warm applause](https://x.com/CAlmanza1007/status/2110160325723209791) from the Thunder’s home crowd as he was announced during starting lineups of Tuesday’s preseason game.
He quickly made his first bucket two minutes into the game and was unstoppable from there. After 10 minutes on the floor, Haliburton had racked up 19 points. He made nine of 14 field goal attempts with three assists and three rebounds. Three of his four triples came in the first quarter, including a wide open look from 34 feet.
Haliburton only played in the first half of the preseason match, which the Pacers ultimately lost to the Thunder in overtime, 114-112.
Four other Pacers finished in double digits. Center Ivica Zubac scored the second-most with 13 points, while Kelly Oubre Jr., Jay Huff and Kobe Brown each had 12, 11 and 10, respectively. Zubac’s also added 13 rebounds to his night.
The Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse Friday to host the Milwaukee Bucks for one final preseason game before the regular season tips off in New Orleans on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The Pacers face the Pelicans at 8 p.m. Eastern.