Indiana Pacers

Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, back from a year lost to injury, says he no longer feels sped up. He blames his first preseason game on a Fast Twitch energy drink he then quit: "I took it and I was a jittery mess." Since then? "I'm just fine."

Ivica Zubac is learning a system a bit different from the Clippers', and Indiana is adjusting too: "he's a little different than anybody we've ever had," Rick Carlisle said. Larry Nance Jr., Jay Huff and Aaron Nesmith will be used at more than one position.

T.J. McConnell (hamstring) isn't back yet and a couple more Pacers are still getting healthy, per Indiana's media availability. Quenton Jackson has run the bench at point guard; Rick Carlisle says he's "ready for... being a full-time roster guy and being ready at all times."

Tyrese Haliburton walked off gingerly at the half with a charley horse: "I get a few charley horses a year, so stretch and I'll be fine in a couple of days." Indiana assistant Lloyd Pierce said they came out "pretty much unscathed" and called that the win of the night.

Indiana will likely have a light day Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 off before the New Orleans opener, assistant Lloyd Pierce said. Ivica Zubac is "the non-shooting 5," he said; Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr. change the spacing. On Aaron Nesmith: "Obviously, we're missing Aaron."

Braden Smith filled in as Indiana's backup point guard in the preseason with T.J. McConnell out, Tyrese Haliburton said: "Braden was getting a lot of second-team reps at that point guard position." Worth watching if McConnell isn't ready for the New Orleans opener.

Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton said the ankle that kept him out at Milwaukee wasn't serious; he meant to sit in Oklahoma City but played for the reps. His back, troubled since he was 16, is "always going to be a thing," and ramping up revived forgotten aches in his knee and hips.

Larry Nance Jr. and Jay Huff should treat Indiana's backup center job as a team, Rick Carlisle said: "their job is to hold the fort." Both can also play power forward so the Pacers can go bigger. Asked about T.J. McConnell for the opener: "Working on it. We hope so."

Ivica Zubac is "probably the best screener in the NBA," Indiana's Aaron Nesmith said. Tyrese Haliburton said slowing his pace helped their pick-and-roll. Asked whether Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Jarace Walker practiced after missing Oct. 13, Rick Carlisle said only: "Some."

Tyrese Haliburton returned in Oklahoma City on Oct. 13, and Indiana's Rick Carlisle said the game slowed down for him and he played undaunted by the past. "It's been a sixteen month period, which is a generous period of time for rehab. But it's long and arduous."

Ivica Zubac is still adjusting in Indiana. Rick Carlisle called him terrific in the Pacers' overtime game in Oklahoma City on Oct. 13, his screening a major plus, but said "there will continue to be adjustments as we go" as Zubac learns a new style and new teammates.

Otega Oweh was the first thing Rick Carlisle addressed after Indiana's overtime game in Oklahoma City on Oct. 13. The Pacers coach sent prayers: "Not sure what happened there, but it looked like a daunting situation." He gave no update on Oweh's condition.

"I fit seamlessly in with the guys." Kelly Oubre Jr., starting for Indiana with the point guard out, said he impacted the game but is still learning defensive schemes, terminology and closeouts. He thinks the Pacers "could play faster," but with "your head on your shoulders."

Larry Nance Jr. got his first minutes as a Pacer. Rick Carlisle: "we needed to get Larry acclimated, get him back out there in a real game. So he did well." He listed Nance with Ivica Zubac, Obi Toppin and Jay Huff as frontcourt options, Nance able to play some power forward.

Braden Smith said he should have taken the baseline mid-range jumper on Indiana's final play, not the up-and-under he missed with a chance to tie or lead: "the shot I've honestly kind of made a living on." Teammates want him "super aggressive," at T.J. McConnell's pace.

Kelly Oubre Jr., now an Indiana starter, is still adjusting to the pace. Rick Carlisle: "A lot of players will tell you that they want to run, they want to play fast. Until they find out what the commitment is... from a conditioning standpoint." He said Oubre is doing well.

Indiana's Ivica Zubac on his first game beside Tyrese Haliburton, back after a year out: "A lot of the possessions, I felt like I was kind of in the way." Surprised by the pace, he says he held screens too long while Haliburton waited for him to roll.

Tyrese Haliburton played his first game in 16 months, at alma mater Iowa State. Rick Carlisle said he made "a full recovery" after shingles in rehab lasting 6-8 weeks, maybe longer. As students booed, Haliburton didn't consider going back in: "We're in a process here."

New center Ivica Zubac means adjustments for Indiana's starters. "Zu did a lot of great things, but he's a different kind of player than we had in there last year," said Rick Carlisle. Tyrese Haliburton said he has to slow down in pick-and-roll to let Zubac set his screens.

Braden Smith, Indiana's rookie from Purdue, was heckled by Iowa State students, over possibly taking Lipsey's roster spot, per a post shown to Rick Carlisle. Smith still finished plus-11. Tyrese Haliburton was dumbfounded: "We beat the shit out of Purdue last year."

Tyrese Haliburton after the Pacers' Fan Jam: "this is the first time I've left Fan Jam and felt my body's felt good, so I'll take it." He said he's glad to be back. Kelly Oubre Jr on the crowd when Rick Carlisle introduced him: "It was insane... But it was loud."

Rookie Braden Smith's second unit got a backhanded compliment from Tyrese Haliburton at the Pacers' Fan Jam: "They can guard multiple positions... But when we play 5-on-5 full court, ask them how that goes." Smith's group lost the previous practice game 6 to 26.

Ivica Zubac and Tyrese Haliburton are still building their partnership. Haliburton said at the Pacers' Fan Jam that "we're just starting our connection, but I'm really enjoying playing alongside him," citing Zubac's threat at both ends, rebounding and outlet passes.

Ivica Zubac has started next to Tyrese Haliburton since day one of Pacers camp and expects most of his minutes with him. Fitting in will "probably take some games in the season as well," he said. The pace is so fast that "sometimes I don't even cross it half court."