Haliburton practices fully; Pacers leave Tuesday status undecided

Tyrese Haliburton practiced without restrictions Monday after an ankle issue kept him out of Indiana’s second preseason game. Rick Carlisle confirmed the unrestricted session but left the guard’s availability for Tuesday’s visit to Oklahoma City undecided, according to separate reports from IndyStar and Pacers beat reporters Tony East and Alex Golden.

The update gives Indiana a clearer picture of his recovery after a brief interruption to his comeback. Haliburton returned to game action October 7 in Ames, Iowa, following the Achilles injury he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Carlisle later described the new problem as a mild ankle tweak. IndyStar reported that an MRI and medical examinations found no structural issue with the ankle or his repaired Achilles.

East saw Haliburton working through the Pacers’ perimeter shooting drill after Monday’s practice. His first attempt through the drill frustrated him; later, he made enough shots to ring the team’s practice bell. The reporter’s video shows the guard taking threes that day. It supplies a glimpse of the session, while Carlisle’s comments establish that he had no practice limitations.

A return Tuesday would bring Haliburton back to Paycom Center, where the Finals injury occurred. East reported that Carlisle and Haliburton had not discussed that return. The coach made no announcement about who would play, so the unrestricted practice should not be read as confirmation that Haliburton will appear against the Thunder.

Indiana also used his absence to examine a different backcourt arrangement. Kelly Oubre Jr. started Saturday, with Andrew Nembhard moving to point guard. Golden reported that Oubre scored 13 points, tying Pascal Siakam for the team lead. Carlisle praised Oubre’s experience and approach as a teammate, while Oubre said he was still learning the defensive scheme and terminology.

The Pacers have another exhibition against Milwaukee on Friday before opening the regular season in New Orleans on October 21, IndyStar reported. Tuesday’s lineup decision is the next concrete step in Haliburton’s return after Monday’s full practice.

Sources

Tony East’s seventh-practice notebook · IndyStar: Haliburton practices without limitations · Pacers training camp day seven