Tyrese Haliburton is finally back on the court after more than 16 months away, battling back from a brutal torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. And to celebrate his return, he is throwing a massive party for his alma mater, making sure every Iowa State student gets to witness his comeback firsthand. This isn’t just a regular preseason game; it is a full-circle moment for a guy who missed an entire season, and he is doing it right.
Baller Move: Haliburton Hooks Up His Alma Mater
This week, Haliburton’s alma mater, Iowa State, is hosting an NBA preseason game between his Indiana Pacers squad and the Minnesota Timberwolves. But this won’t be a quiet affair. The star point guard went all out, purchasing tickets for the entire student section at Hilton Coliseum. That is just incredible. The school had to set up a lottery system for students to get their hands on these golden tickets, which just shows how hyped this event is.
“I’m hosting all the students and we’ll still have student sections, so I think that’ll be fun,” Haliburton told reporters after practice. He even joked, “I don’t know if it’ll be all Pacers fans in there.” But honestly, who cares? This is about bringing NBA basketball to his roots and giving back to the community that supported him from 2018 to 2020. What a classy move from a guy coming off a career-altering injury. He is clearly ready to make a statement, both on and off the court.
From the Finals to the Comeback Trail: 16 Months of Waiting
This game against the Timberwolves is going to be special for so many reasons beyond the awesome student gesture. For starters, Haliburton gets to play again at the Hilton Coliseum, a place where he no doubt created tons of memories. But the biggest deal here is his return to action after being sidelined for over 16 months. Think about that: a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That is a gut punch of the highest order, and it cost him the entire 2025-26 campaign. That is absolutely brutal.
Sources say Haliburton actually suggested having a game at Iowa State years ago, pointing out that Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan was born in Des Moines. Head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed the game was supposed to happen last year but got moved after Haliburton’s injury. It is wild to think how long this has been in the works, and now, finally, it is happening. Returning to Iowa State is going to be an insane experience for Haliburton, and now, thanks to him, a ton of students get to be there cheering him on. “I think it’ll be fun for everybody,” Haliburton said. “I know there’s nobody as passionate about Iowa State as the current students.” You can feel the excitement just reading that.
So, get ready for Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves. It is more than just a preseason matchup; it is the official return of one of the league’s brightest stars after a grueling recovery. Everyone will be watching to see how Haliburton looks, but one thing is for sure: he is starting his comeback with a bang, surrounded by the passion of his alma mater.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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