Tyrese Haliburton seeks to return the Indiana Pacers to championship contention
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 30, 2026, 8:13 PM
Last updated Aug 30, 2026
The Indiana Pacers face a critical season as they attempt to return to postseason form following a 19-63 record during the 2025-26 campaign. Franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton remains the central figure for the team, aiming to regain the level of performance he displayed during the 2025 playoffs before an Achilles injury ended his season. The roster has undergone changes since the team reached the NBA Finals in 2025, most trading for center Ivica Zubac to fill the void left by Myles Turner. Kelly Oubre Jr. also joins the rotation to support Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard. With a healthy Haliburton, the team looks to compete within a reinforced Eastern Conference that includes the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers. The organization anticipates that a return to top-10 player status for Haliburton will be necessary for Indiana to re-enter the title conversation.
- •Tyrese Haliburton missed significant time in 2026 due to an Achilles injury.
- •Indiana acquired Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers last season.
- •The Pacers signed Kelly Oubre Jr. during free agency to bolster the bench.
- •Indiana finished with 50 wins and reached the NBA Finals in 2025.
- 8:13 PMYahoo Sports — The Pacers’ Title Hopes Begin and End With Tyrese Haliburton
"One of the best projected Eastern Conference teams in contention to make the NBA Finals happens to be one that was one of the worst last season. But the key to the Indiana Pacers going from the bottom of the standings back to contention is their franchise cornerstone: Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton notably took his game […] The post The Pacers’ Title Hopes Begin and End With Tyrese Haliburton appeared first on The Lead.
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