Five things learned in Indiana Pacers preseason opening win

AMES, Iowa – It was preseason, but for the first time of 2026-27 the Indiana Pacers battled a different NBA team. In Hilton Coliseum, Tyrese Haliburton's collegiate stomping grounds, the Pacers hosted* the Minnesota Timberwolves.

There is plenty to be written about the environment and experience for Haliburton. That will come. This story is specifically about the basketball played, the first game for Haliburton in 472 days. He announced as much pregame in a message to the crowd shared while standing at midcourt.

"It's been 472 days since I played a game of basketball. I wouldn't want to do it anywhere else," he said.

Here's five things learned from Pacers-Timberwolves.

Circle City Spin

The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, up close

Circle City SpinTony East

Tyrese Haliburton's movement and level

Haliburton scored the Pacers first points of the game via a stepback jumper from the right elbow.

He caused the Timberwolves' first turnover by blocking a shot from Jaden McDaniels, then recovering to force a double double in the corner.

His movement was solid early, though his jumper wasn't falling. He started 1/3 from the field and finished his first stint with two points and two assists. His most productive actions came when working off of Obi Toppin in the first quarter.

When Haliburton exited for the first time, he looked exhausted and sweaty. It was his first game in ages, so that was expected. Pregame, head coach Rick Carlisle said Haliburton was going to play a "good chunk" of minutes. In the first frame, that was about seven.

Haliburton returned to start the second quarter and played over eight minutes in that period. He was just 2/5 from the field – which included clear elation as he made his first three – and dished out four assists with zero turnovers.

Stylistically, he looked similar. But his shots weren't falling, and he's going to have to work his way back into game shape. But his joy returning to the court was obvious.

Haliburton's final stat line: seven points (3/8) and six assists in 16 minutes.

Second unit clarity and success

The Pacers brought in Obi Toppin, Kelly Oubre, and Jarace Walker off the bench in the first quarter of this game.

That's it.

Granted, T.J. McConnell was out. But it was noteworthy that the team turned to those players and, critically, not Jay Huff in the first 12 minutes. The Toppin-Pascal Siakam combo manned the frontcourt in those minutes instead.

The second quarter began with Ben Sheppard in the game. So with McConnell out, the Pacers played nine guys in the competitive portion of the game.

The bench group, when paired together, was effective. Toppin and Walker popped in the first half while Oubre didn't put up stats yet still impacted the game. Sheppard struggled in the first half then came alive with an awesome second half, canning several threes.

That Sheppard played and Jay Huff did not is telling, though it is just one game. Even for just one game, that the second unit was successful is of note for the Pacers.

Jarace Walker's strong start to preseason

Walker is focused on being a great system player this season. He passed his first test with flying colors.

Walker entered the game alert and locked in with his passing, dishing out six assists in the first half. A few of them were tidy lobs. Others were great reads as his teammates cut.

Walker pulled in three rebounds, too, and didn't have a turnover in the first half. There's a reason he seems to be in line for a role this season – his best stuff is unique and impactful. His first two quarters of preseason play were promising – and his defense was solid, too.

The only thing not working for Walker early was his jump shot, and that continued into the second half until he hit a three after 3.5 minutes of third-quarter play. But the rest of his game was certainly of note, and he finished 3/6 from the field.

Jarace Walker's final stat line: Seven points, five rebounds, 10 (!) assists.

Ivica Zubac and working through new things

Zubac played only the first half and finished with six points (3/8), three rebounds, and two assists.

Mostly meh overall as the Pacers figure out the best ways to work him in. The clearest part of his success came when setting screens. Did he ever. He opened up lanes for drivers and, often, himself.

But he struggled with his finishing in the paint, and the Pacers didn't have answers when he was double teamed – Zubac even committed a turnover in one such instance. He finished with three turnovers in total.

On one possession, Haliburton passed Zubac the ball before standing nearby, almost unsure what came next. Those are sequences the Pacers will have to work to with their new center. His preseason debut showed that there are more steps to be taken.

Defensively, Zubac was up at the level often and dropping back with the rolling big man. He handled that mobility well, I thought, but he needs to better impact the boards in the future.

Iowa State students hate Braden Smith

Braden Smith checked in for his first preseason action with the Pacers in the middle of the third quarter and immediately heard boos from the Iowa State faithful.

A strange reception, especially after Iowa State blasted Purdue last season in West Lafayette. Haliburton and Smith both seemed confused by the booing.

A few Iowa State students at the game told me that their beef was with the fact that they believe Smith took Tamin Lipsey's spot on the Pacers roster. Smith signed a two-way contract with the Pacers while Lipsey, who was originally going to sign an Exhibit 10 deal with the Pacers, returned to the Cyclones.

Lipsey was never going to take Smith's spot, but fans made their emotions clear. And Lipsey, who played in summer league with the Pacers, was at the game.

The final score: Pacers 123, Timberwolves 112. The Pacers open preseason play 1-0.

Thank you for reading. More to come from this game soon, plus notes from inside training camp. Sign up and the stories will come straight to your email inbox.