​Sep 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) poses for a photo during media day. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Source: Lastwordonsports.com – Benjamin Yu, EditorTonight marks the start of the Pacers’ preseason as Indiana returns to action against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the dawn of a new season. Starting at 7 PM EST, the Pacers will once again play with the face of the franchise, Tyrese Haliburton, back in the lineup for the first time since Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals. As Indiana tips off, marking the start of a new season, here are a few things to watch in this first game of Pacers preseason action.Pacers Preseason Game 1: What To Watch On The PacersExpected Starting Lineups:Pacers: PG – Tyrese Haliburton, SG – Andrew Nembhard, SF – Aaron Nesmith, PF – Pascal Siakam, C – Ivica ZubacTimberwolves: PG – LaMelo Ball, SG – Anthony Edwards, SF – Jonathan Kuminga, PF – Jaden McDaniels, C – Rudy GobertWhat To Watch For Pacers Preseason Game 1Haliburton Back In ActionThe biggest storyline of the Pacers preseason will be Haliburton seeing his first minutes since 2025. There is much excitement over the Pacers’ star returning to the team, and as a bonus, he will be playing at his alma mater, Iowa State, which could draw in an electric atmosphere.Haliburton has looked great in practice, and there have even been reports that he could return better than ever; however, he will be getting his first in-game action, so watching how he performs will be important. The biggest question mark about Indiana’s season is how Haliburton returns from injury. Will he return to his pre-injury self, or will he look like a shell of his former self? This first preseason game may be a small indicator of how the season will go.Zubac’s Chemistry With IndianaSep 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (40) poses for a photo during media day. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesAnother interesting component of the Pacers’ preseason game is Zubac’s chemistry with the team and with Haliburton. Zubac came over from the Clippers in the Bennedict Mathurin trade last season and only played five games with the Pacers last season. Zubac gave us a very small sample size of how he will fit in the Pacers’ system, so watching the team operate with him on the court will be interesting.During the Pacers’ FanJam team exhibition, Haliburton and Zubac looked to have good chemistry, but only time will tell if that can be translated to the regular season. If Zubac can live up to his potential and be what Indiana wants him to be, he could be the Pacers’ X-factor.Tyrese Haliburton with the no-look dime to Ivica Zubac 😈 pic.twitter.com/BaYCV5OBew— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 4, 2026Kelly Oubre Jr.’s RoleIndiana’s biggest offseason addition, Kelly Oubre Jr., will get his first minutes with Indiana in the first Pacers preseason game. On paper, Oubre