Indiana Pacers 2026-27 NBA Preseason Preview

In June 2025, the Indiana Pacers were poised to potentially win their first NBA championship. Tyrese Haliburton, the team's franchise point guard, was instrumental in their success, scoring three deep threes in the first quarter of Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, Haliburton suffered a right Achilles injury in the same game, ending the Pacers' championship hopes.

Following the injury, the Pacers' season took a sharp turn for the worse. They lost Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks for $107 million, and finished the 2025-26 season with a 19-63 record, the worst in franchise history. Despite the challenges, the Pacers treated 2025-26 as a transitional year, focusing on developing their younger players and acquiring Ivica Zubac from the Clippers.

The trade for Zubac proved to be a significant loss, as Indiana gave up promising young players Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, along with two first-round picks and a second-rounder. The trade for Zubac does not appear to have been a long-term win, as the team will need to rely on Haliburton and other returning players to succeed in the upcoming season.