Haliburton returns, Huff and Walker finish Pacers’ 123-112 win in Ames

Tyrese Haliburton returned to NBA competition on his former college floor Wednesday, finishing with seven points and six assists as the Indiana Pacers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-112 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. The homecoming gave Indiana its first preseason win and its lead guard his first game action since the Achilles injury he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals.

Haliburton played 16 minutes, all in the first half, and shot 3-for-8 with one turnover. Indiana trailed 65-61 at halftime. Its reserves then won the third quarter 38-26, turning the night’s emotional opening into a win completed by Jay Huff, Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard.

Huff scored 14 of his 16 points in the third quarter. Walker finished with seven points, five rebounds and 10 assists, helping Indiana move the ball through a rotation that stretched to 16 players. The Pacers had 39 assists on 48 made field goals and shot 17-for-32 from three.

The fourth quarter still required another response. Minnesota scored the period’s first seven points, cutting a 99-91 deficit to 99-98. Sheppard answered with a layup, two free throws and a three-pointer, scoring seven straight Indiana points to restore an eight-point cushion. Minnesota never regained the lead.

Aaron Nesmith had supplied the early scoring, making seven of nine shots and four of six threes for 19 points. Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin added 10 points apiece. Nesmith’s efficient first half and Huff’s third quarter gave Indiana different scorers to lean on as Rick Carlisle changed lineups.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 19 points in 20 minutes and made four of five threes. Jaden McDaniels scored 16, and LaMelo Ball contributed 14 points and seven assists. The Timberwolves made 19 threes overall, but Indiana’s 50 points in the paint and second-half passing helped overcome that perimeter production.

Haliburton’s own assessment was more measured than the crowd’s reception. In the Pacers’ postgame interview, he said his excitement had him playing too fast and that his timing would improve through game repetitions. He also discussed learning the pick-and-roll rhythm with Ivica Zubac, whose screening and rolling give Indiana a different look.

Ryan Young’s Yahoo report places the return after a full 2025-26 season lost to rehabilitation. Wednesday provided a competitive first step, with Haliburton back on the floor and able to review game film again. The preseason result leaves room for the adjustments both he and Carlisle described.

Indiana returns to Indianapolis to host Atlanta on Saturday. Its regular-season opener is Oct. 21 at New Orleans. Minnesota finished the exhibition with a 1-1 preseason record after winning at Milwaukee on Monday.