Tyrese Haliburton returned to Hilton Coliseum on Wednesday, Oct. 7, as the Indiana Pacers faced the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 6 p.
m. CT preseason game at his former Iowa State home arena.
According to KCCI, the game marked Haliburton's first NBA appearance since he tore his Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Indiana lost that series after the injury.
Haliburton played at Iowa State during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons and earned All-Big 12 honors as a sophomore.
KCCI reported that he still holds the school record with 17 assists against Southern on Dec. 9, 2018.
The matchup was also Minnesota's second preseason appearance at Hilton Coliseum.
According to WHO13, the Timberwolves previously played there against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018, when Milwaukee won 125-107 behind 21 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Iowa State Connection Through Tamin Lipsey
Haliburton's return carried an additional Iowa State connection through Tamin Lipsey, who briefly joined the Pacers this summer before returning to Ames.
Haliburton has continued to follow Lipsey's career and supports his decision to remain with Iowa State.
"I know that when all this was going on, I knew that there was some schools reaching out to him to go back and I asked him what he was thinking about.
He's like, 'I wouldn't go anywhere but Iowa State and I just want to play in the NBA.'
I think this is an opportunity for him, it's hard to pass up," said Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers guard.
According to the Des Moines Register, Lipsey is among more than 90 athletes seeking a fifth college season through a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA.
A preliminary injunction issued Sept. 23 granted the athletes additional eligibility, while the NCAA plans to challenge the ruling.
Haliburton said Lipsey's connection to Ames makes his return especially meaningful and could strengthen Iowa State's prospects for the 2026-27 season.
"Obviously, you guys know he is literally Mr. Ames, so I think it makes perfect sense for him.
I hope that he's able — it's looking good right now, but you know, obviously you never know what could happen, but hopefully he's able to get on the floor.
I know that'd be obviously a huge boost for our basketball program and put us right in that position to compete for a national championship.
I think having him back would be huge. I'm really happy for him and his family.
I know how much this place means to him, so hope that there's not any funky stuff with the NCAA and he can just play," said Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers guard.
The Des Moines Register reported that Iowa State officially listed Lipsey on its roster Sept. 28.
The Cyclones are scheduled to open their 2026-27 season against Memphis on Nov. 2.
The game also highlighted a broader Iowa connection to the NBA.
WHO13 reported that Harrison Barnes, AJ Green, Keegan Murray, Kris Murray, Luka Garza and Georges Niang are among Iowa-connected players currently in the league or training camp.
Several newer players add to that pipeline.
Former Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz was selected 16th in the 2026 NBA Draft, while former Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson was selected 28th, and Council Bluffs native Josh Dix signed a two-way contract with Oklahoma City.
WHO13 also reported that the Iowa Wolves acquired the G League returning-player rights to Waukee native Payton Sandfort on Oct.
1.
Iowa is scheduled to open its season Nov. 6 against the Wisconsin Herd at Casey's Center.
