Tyrese Haliburton ‘shocked’ first game back won’t be on national TV
Before Indiana Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, the point guard was well on his way to becoming a household name. Sure, Haliburton had been well-known to basketball fans for years at that point, but an NBA championship ring would’ve pushed him into another realm…
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was dealt a significant setback when his Achilles tendon tore in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, forcing him to miss the entire 2025-26 season. While Haliburton had already gained national recognition, the injury prevented him from returning for the Pacers' 19-63 campaign, which was the worst record in franchise history.
The NBA's schedule did not include a nationally televised game for Haliburton's return, despite his star power, and opted to have him play in New Orleans, a team projected to be among the worst in the league. Haliburton expressed his shock and disappointment about this decision on the Numbers on the Board podcast, questioning why his first game back wouldn't be nationally televised or held at his home court.
The Pacers have scheduled just 11 national television games for the upcoming season, placing them 15th out of 30 NBA teams in terms of exposure.
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