Haliburton was 'in shock' to discover his comeback would not be on national television
The Indiana star is preparing to return from a long-term injury and is offended: "Give me the name of another player at my level who would return after 16 months and not be broadcast on national TV."
Tyrese Haliburton established his status as one of the leading players in the NBA during the 2024/25 season, when he led the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals and nearly won the title. That tremendous journey ended in a loss in Game 7, and worse, with an Achilles tendon tear for the guard, which effectively sidelined him for the entire 25/26 season.
Now, Haliburton is making preparations for his return to the court. This will happen when Indiana opens the next season on October 21 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
However, last night he discovered that the game would not be broadcast on a national channel, and was very disappointed. "Give me the name of another player you can compare to my level, no matter how good you think I am, who would return after 16 months. You don't think he would have received a national broadcast?", he asked during a podcast appearance.
"When I saw the schedule, I was like, 'Okay, wow.' I was in shock to discover that, but we move on."
That same night, the two games chosen to be broadcast across the United States were Minnesota vs. Miami and Golden State vs. the Lakers. Only a week later will the first national broadcast of the Pacers arrive, when they host LeBron James' Philadelphia.
