INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan and assistant general manager Ted Wu spoke to the media Thursday at the Pacers Foundation Invitational at the historic Brickyard Crossing Golf Course. Ahead of the season opener on October 21st, Buchanan gave several updates on the team and said that point guard Tyrese Haliburton is fully healthy and eager to begin the season at full strength. “I think he’s [Tyrese Haliburton] going to be a one hundred percent full go,” Buchanan said. “We rely on our medical staff if there are days that they need to scale back on him or any other guys. We’re going to rely on that and how Ty’s [Tyrese Haliburton] body responds to the rigors of an NBA season. There’s going to be no restrictions right away for him.” It’s been 16 months since Tyrese Haliburton last played in an NBA game after his Achilles tear in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. With over a full year of recovery from both his Achilles and a recent bout with Shingles, Buchanan says Haliburton focused on getting physically stronger before returning to the floor for an NBA game. “I think on the court he’s made an emphasis on getting a little stronger physically,” Buchanan said. “I think he knows that he takes a lot of contact during the game, and the more that he can absorb that and also deliver that is going to help his game. That’s an element of his game that will be a little different, but I think he would tell you, I still want to play the same style I’ve always played. This injury and how my body is a little different now is not going to change my mentality.” With Haliburton at full strength and the 2026-2027 season right around the corner, Buchanan said he is eager to compete at the top of the East once again, following a franchise-low 19 wins last season. “To go through a season like that, it tests you,” Buchanan said. “Not only as a team but as an organization. Now that we’re here, it was a long offseason, it was a long 82 games, and I think everybody is ready to go — from coaches to players, staff, I mean, we’re just anxious to get back on the court and see this group together again.” The Pacers begin the 2026-2027 season on Wednesday, October 21st, at the New Orleans Pelicans. ...read more read less