Tyrese Haliburton not with Pacers in Oklahoma City
The All-Star guard had attended every Pacers game this season, but did not travel for Friday’s matchup in Oklahoma City — their first visit since Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Tyrese Haliburton is not with the Pacers on Friday night for their game in Oklahoma City, the site of his Game 7 injury, Fieldhouse Files has learned.
Haliburton had attended each of Indiana’s first 45 games this season despite being ruled out for the year after undergoing surgery on his right Achilles exactly seven months ago.
This will be his first absence of the season.
This is stop four on a five-game road trip, which concludes Monday in Atlanta.
The reason for his absence is not immediately clear, though it would be understandable if he chose to avoid the building until he can return in uniform. The night carries emotional weight, and his injury fundamentally altered the trajectory of this Pacers season (10-35).
UPDATE: Prime Video host Taylor Rooks texted her colleague at the network and here’s what she shared about Haliburton not being there.
He does not think he’s ready to go back there yet. He said it’s something I still think about for sure. He would like the next time he goes back to be when he can play, and get lost in competing and playing the game that he loves rather than staring at that spot of the floor the whole game.
Haliburton went down in the first quarter of Game 7 at Paycom Center, though Indiana led at halftime. Oklahoma City outscored the Pacers 56–43 in the second half, pulling away for a 103–91 win to clinch the 2025 NBA championship.
