Haliburton excites the Indiana Pacers: "I'm at 100% and we're going for the ring"

The Indiana Pacers face the 2026-27 season with a goal that seemed distant just a few months ago: to compete for the championship again. The key is Tyrese Haliburton, who has already assured that he is at 100% after recovering from his serious Achilles tendon injury and will have no restrictions at the start of the season.

Indiana went from competing in the NBA Finals in 2025 to finishing with a record of 19-63 last season, precisely during the full season that Haliburton missed due to his injury. Now the point guard returns to a team that also features important new additions: Ivica Zubac as the new starting center and Kelly Oubre Jr. as one of the main weapons of the bench.

Haliburton completely changes the ceiling of the Pacers

Let’s not forget what Indiana was like before the injury. Haliburton had led the Pacers to the 2025 Finals, after also reaching the Conference Finals in the two previous seasons. The injury in the seventh game against Oklahoma City halted that progress just when the team was one win away from achieving the first championship in its history.

Now Haliburton claims he is 100% recovered and unrestricted. This statement is especially important because the team’s performance will largely depend on his ability to regain his capacity to control the tempo, find open teammates, and constantly create advantages.

And there is one detail that could make a difference: he’s not returning to the same team.

A much more complete lineup

Indiana's new structure presents a lineup that makes a lot of sense:

• Tyrese Haliburton

• Andrew Nembhard

• Aaron Nesmith

• Pascal Siakam

• Ivica Zubac

Zubac can solve one of the problems that Indiana faced at the center position after the departure of Myles Turner. The Croatian provides size, rebounding, defense, and the ability to finish near the rim, while his profile can fit especially well with a point guard like Haliburton. Zubac himself has highlighted how easily they connected during their first practices together.

Up front is also Pascal Siakam, who already demonstrated during that run to the Finals that he can act as a second offensive reference. Nembhard and Nesmith complete a perimeter capable of punishing defensive help.

Kelly Oubre Jr., a piece that can change the bench

The signing of Kelly Oubre Jr. could end up being more important than it seems.

Indiana brought him in with a two-year, $17 million contract after his three seasons in Philadelphia. Last season he averaged 14.1 points and 5.0 rebounds in 41 games.

His role could be particularly interesting as sixth man. Oubre brings energy, athletic ability, scoring, and experience, and can take advantage of the spaces created by Haliburton. Moreover, his presence allows Rick Carlisle to maintain a significant offensive threat when he starts moving pieces in the starting lineup.

In a team built to play fast, Oubre could have many opportunities to run the floor and finish attacks generated by Haliburton.

Can they compete for the championship again?

The question is not unreasonable. Indiana has already shown that it can compete in the East when Haliburton is healthy and the rest of the group functions around him. Now it has a different center, more depth, and an additional year of experience for players like Nembhard, Nesmith, and Siakam. The NBA itself points out that the return of Haliburton and the additions of Zubac, Oubre, and Larry Nance Jr. are the main reasons to expect a radical change from the 19-63 record of last season.

That said, everything hinges on Haliburton. His declaration of being at 100% removes one of the major uncertainties going into the start of the season, but it will be in competition where it can be verified how he responds after 16 months away from the NBA. The Pacers have already shown they know how to go far with him. If he regains his previous level and the new structure works, Indiana has arguments to position itself among the teams contending for the championship.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Haliburton ilusiona a Indiana Pacers: "Estoy al 100% y vamos a por el anillo"