Tyrese Haliburton scores 24 in first game back in OKC since Finals injury; Pacers fall in OT

Tyrese Haliburton scored 24 points in 18 minutes on Tuesday in his first game at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center since tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, a 114-112 overtime preseason loss to the Thunder.

Haliburton shot 9-of-14 from the field with four three-pointers, adding three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He was in the starting lineup after sitting out all of last season to recover from the injury, which he suffered in the first quarter of the title decider after making three threes in seven minutes.

“I have my own internal expectations. But our goal is to win a championship. That has never wavered,” the two-time All-Star said in an ESPN report by Jamal Collier.

Jared McCain led Oklahoma City with 20 points as the Thunder (1-3) collected their first preseason win. Indiana fell to 1-2.

Haliburton, 26, anchors a Pacers rotation that also features Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Kelly Oubre Jr., TJ McConnell and Obi Toppin. Indiana is expected to improve on last season’s 19-win total, when it sank to the bottom of the standings without its star guard.