Overview
- Haliburton said he is “100%” and practiced in Indiana’s preseason, and he logged 16 minutes with seven points and six assists in the team’s Oct. 7 preseason game.
- Coach Rick Carlisle endorsed a measured reintegration, saying Haliburton appears recovered but the team will pace his minutes to reduce reinjury risk.
- Indiana strengthened its frontcourt this year by trading multiple assets for center Ivica Zubac to give Haliburton more interior support on offense and defense.
- Outside analysts remain divided on how far the Pacers can go, with some projections, notably John Hollinger’s, seeing a borderline play-in outcome tied to Haliburton’s true post-injury level.
- The immediate stakes are practical and human: the Pacers must accept possible early-season losses from cautious rest to preserve Haliburton’s availability for a postseason push, and the team’s short-term finances and roster choices limit quick fixes if results lag.