Tyrese Haliburton expected his long-awaited return to the court to receive a little more attention.
The Indiana Pacers star admitted he was “shocked” after discovering his first regular-season game in 16 months will not be nationally televised.
Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. His comeback is now set for Oct. 21, when Indiana opens its season on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Considering his standing around the league and the significance of his return, Haliburton questioned why the NBA did not give the game a national television slot.
“Name any other person that you compare to my level of a basketball player, wherever you have me ranked, if they tore their Achilles and missed 16 months, do you think that [first game back] would be on national TV?” Haliburton said during an appearance on the “Numbers on the Board” podcast. “Do you think that game would be at home if not on national television? Do you think that game would be at New Orleans?
Haliburton said his initial reaction came as soon as he saw Indiana’s schedule.
“When I saw the schedule I was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ I was shocked to see that,” he added. “But we move on.”
Instead, the NBA’s two nationally televised games on opening night will feature the Minnesota Timberwolves visiting the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors taking on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Haliburton will have to wait another week before making his first nationally televised appearance of the season.
After beginning the year in New Orleans, the Pacers will return to Indiana for their home opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 23.
Their first national television game will then come on Oct. 28, when Indiana hosts the Philadelphia 76ers.
For Haliburton, the lack of national coverage adds another wrinkle to what will already be one of the biggest nights of his career.
After spending an entire season working his way back from a devastating injury suffered on the NBA’s biggest stage, his comeback will instead begin away from the national spotlight.
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