Tyrese Haliburton waited 472 days for this moment.
In that time between games played, he watched the Pacers go from Game 7 of the NBA Finals to the worst record in franchise history without him. He dealt with grueling Achilles rehab, dealt with shingles, and watched the New York Knicks win an NBA Championship.
That’s now behind him.
The game on Wednesday was about moving forward.
Haliburton returned to the basketball court — and got to do something we all wish we could: spend one more night back in college.
Haliburton made the pitch to the front office a few years ago and after a one-year delay, his dream came to fruition in Ames, Iowa, as a crowd of 13,952 cheered him back from injury.
He ensured that it had a college-like feel by purchasing all of the tickets for the students so they could sit in their traditional sections behind both baskets. He made sure they were fed with his favorite local pizza as the general admission line for students wrapped several blocks, all around Hilton Coliseum.
Hours later, when Haliburton was introduced to the crowd by Pacers public address announcer Troy Pepper, he had a surprise up his sleeve.
Or really, under his shirt.
Haliburton was introduced last, as usual, then took off his shooting shirt to reveal a No. 22 Pacers jersey in honor of his return to Ames. After his last season at Iowa State (in 2020) and with the Pacers (in 2025) were both cut short due to injury, this was a moment he had been eagerly anticipating. And his family was there to celebrate with him.
Still in his No. 22 jersey — later changing to put on his No. 0 before tip-off — Haliburton was handed a microphone to address a crowd that showed up for him.
“Cyclones! Hey guys, we’re so thankful that you guys came. It’s been 472 days since I played a game of basketball. I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else, it’s like my second home. I love you guys so much. Iowa State is so special to me.”
Ultimately, the Pacers coaching staff kept the top seven players to first-half minutes, but Haliburton scored their first and last field goals of the half in what was the Pacers’ preseason opener, a 123-112 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
