Six things learned as Indiana Pacers close out preseason with OT loss to Bucks

INDIANAPOLIS – According to the schedule, Friday night's tilt between the Pacers and Bucks was the final preseason game for both teams. It was the first meeting between the two teams since Milwaukee dealt Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat.

And yet – despite this being an exhibition and a key member of the Pacers-Bucks rivalry being elsewhere – it only took a few minutes for this game to feel like more than a preseason tune up. There was energy from both groups and very few veterans that were not available. Tyrese Haliburton played at home for the first time in almost 500 days. It felt bigger than a preseason game.

Kam Jones, Myles Turner, and Johnny Carpenter were all in town for the Bucks. Those reunions, and the boos for Turner, added to the preseason energy. What was learned in Pacers-Bucks?

Circle City Spin

The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, up close

Circle City SpinTony East

Tyrese Haliburton returns* to Gainbridge Fieldhouse

It's not the regular season, so this will go down as Haliburton's unofficial return. But he played in front of fans in Indianapolis for the first time since Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Friday night.

There was a nice cheer as he was introduced as a starter, and Haliburton put together a strong first half for the Indianapolis faithful.

"It's special man," Haliburton said of the reception. "This state, this fan base, means a lot to me."

Ryan Rollins turns up the intensity

Very early in the first quarter, Bucks guard Ryan Rollins crashed into Haliburton while a rebound opportunity was in the air. It was hard contact that Haliburton took exception to – according to others who watched the broadcast, Haliburton called Rollins a "bitch" several times.

They were both whistled for a technical foul. On the Pacers next possession, Haliburton drilled a three before trotting over to Rollins to play defense. Any one thing, big or small, can fire up Haliburton. It seemed as if this interaction did exactly that.

Later, Rollins and Andrew Nembhard got into a bit of a shoving match. Not long after, Rollins was whistled for a defensive foul while pressuring Haliburton full court – after which Haliburton yelled out "sub!" to the Bucks bench. Rookie guard Brayden Burries entered for Rollins at that moment. Haliburton drove past Burries to score on the next play.

"I couldn't tell you. Next question," Haliburton said postgame of Rollins.

The early technical foul seemed to get Haliburton going. He spent the rest of the first half attacking, pushing downhill often to get himself going. He finished the second quarter with 17 points and six assists.

Haliburton left the court walking gingerly into the locker room at halftime and did not play in the second half.

The Pacers big three were connected

At one point in the second quarter, the Tyrese Haliburton-Pascal Siakam-Ivica Zubac trio had combined for 47 points. The entire Bucks team had 47 points at the time.

Those three were connected and showing signs of improvement as a unit. Zubac continues to recognize the space created by his star teammates and is cutting better than he was two weeks ago. Siakam didn't score until 43 seconds remained in the first quarter yet had 24 points by halftime – he can wiggle his way into success at any moment and plays well off of Haliburton's passing and Zubac's paint gravity. Haliburton, of course, can get hot at a moments notice and reached the paint frequently Friday night.

"We had a couple of talks [about] him playing two-man game with me. I feel like him being a great passer, me continuing to learn how to cut and things like that, I feel like we'll get a lot of easy stuff together," Siakam said of Zubac. "And I think, obviously continue to extend my range. It's only going to get us better."

Their halftime scoring totals: Haliburton 17, Siakam 24, Zubac 11. Zubac also had 11 rebounds at the break. All three players only suited up for the first half. They combined for 52 points in the first two quarters – the Bucks had 56 as a team at halftime.

Lloyd Pierce experimented

Only three players (Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, and T.J. McConnell) were out for the Pacers in this game, but acting head coach Lloyd Pierce still experimented with different lineups and roles in the second half. (Rick Carlsile is with his daughter at the University of Virginia and will return to the team later this weekend.)

Quenton Jackson, for example, got some time at shooting guard next to Braden Smith, a rarity for Jackson in the preseason. He has mostly played at point guard. But the more intriguing look came on the interior.

Carlisle noted a few times throughout the preseason that both Jay Huff and Larry Nance have played at the four via spot minutes in the past – and both could do so this year. In the third quarter, Pierce deployed both bigs together as the Pacers tried new combinations.

It was not a successful debut for that Huff-Nance pairing. The Pacers defense was a mess in the third frame as their lead dipped down to three – the Bucks scored 34 points in the third quarter despite not hitting a free throw and going 2/10 from deep. But it was exactly what preseason is for: Trying new things and seeing what works (or doesn't).

Obi Toppin continues to impress

Obi Toppin was the only core player who suited up in the second half (if you count Ben Sheppard, he did too), and Toppin finished off a strong preseason by raining in a few more jumpers.

He drilled two threes from the left wing and finished with 12 points, all on outside shots (4/7). He finished preseason play with 41 points (10.25 per game) with a 63% shot accuracy. Toppin moved well, too, after missing time last season.

Kobe Brown detonated

With 5:18 to go in the fourth quarter, two-way contract forward Kobe Brown threw down one of the best highlights of the preseason, drawing a foul on a nasty dunk.

Brown got some time with the second unit during the first half of this game and finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

The Pacers deep reserves couldn't avoid a second-straight overtime game, and after five additional minutes the Pacers fell 128-127. They finished the preseason with a 1-3 record and kick off their regular season next Wednesday in New Orleans.

Thank you for reading. The preseason is over, but training camp is not. Sign up for more stories about the Pacers before their games officially begin.