“Not a superstar.” But definitely a superhero. Tyrese Haliburton etched his historic NBA playoffs run into basketball history last season. However, when he fell on the floor in Game 7 of the Finals, Paycom Center fell into a hush. Uncomfortable, painful, and a moment that screamed ‘Game Over‘. Surely, the Indiana Pacers couldn’t touch the Larry O’Brien trophy, but Hali? He became the hero. But that injured right Achilles tendon will keep him away from the upcoming season.

The 25-year-old point guard is the playmaker for Rick Carlisle’s strategies. More like the center of the Pacers’ universe. So, with the lead offense out of the scene, what and how would the head coach make changes? How does Coach Carlisle reimagine the offense without the guy who is the identity of the offense flows so much from how Tyrese plays.

Tyrese Haliburton’s absence leaves a void the Pacers must fill in the 2025-26 season

“Yeah, there will be a lot of differences. There certainly are some unknowns as we move into this. One of our luxuries, superpowers I guess, was that Andrew Nembhard could start as a two guard, play off the ball, be a primary ball handler as a secondary ball handler, and guard the best perimeter player,” Rick Carlisle revealed on The Zach Lowe Show. “So now he’ll be starting, he’ll be the primary playmaker, and probably still have the responsibility of guarding the best player from the defensive element side of it. So much will be on him.”

Andrew Nembhard elevated himself under the brightest lights of 2025. Across 23 playoff games, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 47.1% from the field and 46.5% from three. After a regular season with 10 points, 5 assists, and 1.2 steals, he exploded with six games of three or more threes. His defense was defining, including six steals against Jalen Brunson in Game 6 that clinched Indiana’s first Finals berth in 25 years.

Indiana’s year shifted when Nembhard returned from a knee issue that left them 5-9 without him. In December, he posted 13.1 points and 4.8 assists, sparking a 10-2 January and earning East Defensive Player of the Month with 21 steals in 11 games. From Jan. 1 onward, the Pacers stormed to a 34-14 finish, won 50 games for the first time in 11 years, and landed top 10 in offense and defense. With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for all of 2025-26, Nembhard now owns the lead role. His preview came with 28 points and 9.5 assists in two East Finals starts. The stage is his to prove Indiana’s ceiling can climb even higher.

Coach Carlisle further added, “We’ve got to alleviate pressure from him. The elements that make any team successful are going to be constant. We’ve got to move the ball; we’ve got to take care of the ball. We’ve got to rebound the ball. And we’ve got to find a way to play with pace and tempo. Tyrese is such a natural pace generator, tempo generator, that as we start training camp this coming Tuesday, figuring out ways and creative ways, as you suggest, to do those things is going to be at the top of our list. We have a lot of work to do.“

Tyrese Haliburton owned the 2025 playoffs with a masterclass in pace and control. He piled up 8.6 to 10.5 assists per game while keeping turnovers between 1.7 and 2.3. The Pacers scored 120.7 points per 100 possessions with him, compared to 104.7 without. His transition play flipped comebacks, and his offensive rating soared between 116.5 and 118.7.

Therefore, without Hali, the coaching staff needs to come up with new plans. They can’t let the offense go easy if another dreamy season is in sight. Also, remember, the Indiana Pacers don’t have Myles Turner with them anymore. The massive trade in July sent the center to the Milwaukee Bucks on a 4-year, $108.9 million deal. Thus, that also leaves a void for Rick Carlisle. Does he have backup? He’d better do!

Starting center spot is vacant at the Indiana Pacers

The Pacers enter 2025-26 with more center depth than critics admit. Myles Turner left for Milwaukee, yet Indiana lined up James Wiseman, Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, and Tony Bradley. Wiseman holds the inside track to start, with Jackson’s versatility close behind. Projections show a lineup of Wiseman, Siakam, Nesmith or Walker, Mathurin, and Nembhard, signaling a bold commitment to size. Meanwhile, Zach Lowe asked the head coach if he has a favorite going into camp for the starting center spot, or if it is wide open.

“I’d say it’s pretty wide open. Our guys are playing pickup games now. We’re watching a lot. I will say that Isaiah Jackson’s made a really nice recovery from his Achilles injury. So has James Wiseman. Jay Huff is an NBA shooter and shoots it easily from long range as a center who can both make threes and protect the rim,” the 65-year-old admitted. “And we got Tony Bradley, who really emerged in last year’s playoffs as a guy who could play the game and play within our team concept.” He leads the roster in rebounding, brings valuable experience, and shows a great feel for defense. “We got a lot of pieces, a lot of elements.”

The Indiana Pacers are staring down a season of reinvention. Tyrese Haliburton’s absence leaves a gaping hole, but Andrew Nembhard is ready to grab the reins and rewrite the offense. With new faces vying for the starting center spot and a mix of shooters, rim protectors, and versatile defenders, Rick Carlisle has the pieces. Creativity, pace, and pressure will drive this team, setting the stage for surprises, breakout performances, and a reborn Pacers identity.