In a recent episode of the Numbers On The Board Podcast, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton made it known that he's not happy with his team's opening night schedule. Haliburton believes his return game should be on national TV, or at least at home in Indiana.

"Name any other person you compare to my level of a basketball player," Haliburton said. "If they tore their Achilles and missed 16 months, do you think they'd be on national television? Do you think that game would be at home, if not on national television? When I saw the schedule, I said, 'Oh, wow!' I was shocked, but we move on."

The Pacers open the 2026-27 season on the road at the New Orleans Pelicans. Haliburton and Indiana are miffed that after making the NBA Finals in 2025 that they aren't being treated as one of the NBA's featured teams.