In order to cope with the long absence of point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said that the team will change in all aspects in the new season, including a greater emphasis on physical confrontation, and some players will also need to maintain a certain degree of aggressiveness when defending.

The 25-year-old Tyrese Haliburton played 73 games for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024/25 NBA regular season, averaging 18.6 points per game, 47.3% shooting and 38.8% three-point shooting.

In the finals, Tyrese Haliburton continued to help the Indiana Pacers turn the tide in fierce competition. However, in the focus station of the seventh round, Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles tendon rupture. In the end, the Indiana Pacers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 91-103 and missed the NBA championship.

Furthermore, Tyrese Haliburton won't be able to help the Indiana Pacers play until the 2025/26 season and possibly longer.

When talking about how to cope with the challenges of the new season, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said, "Our fans are going to have a very special season, and this team will have changed a lot. It cannot be overstated how great a player Tyrese Haliburton is, and we will miss him very much. Unfortunately, I will feel this even more deeply because I will not have him on the team this season."

"Pascal Siakam now has to take on more of a core role in controlling the ball. Our style of play in the new season will be different, and sometimes it may not be very good-looking. We will focus more on physical confrontation, and I think we will become a more physical defensive team, so these aspects will change."

Rick Carlisle continued, "Nembhard needs to make some adjustments and must remain aggressive on defense because he loves to defend. This player is a freak. He never says bad words to anyone on the court, but we have to protect him."

"If we expect him to play 37 minutes at the start of the season, that's not going to happen. He's got to play in the low 30s. And McConnell has to have another great season, and we need that third point guard to be ready."