Jan 10, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) dribbles the ball while Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith's return from a left ankle sprain was a reminder of how easily he fits in the Pacers' style of play.

Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith scored nine points in nine minutes in his return from a left ankle sprain in the Pacers 111-100 win over the Pistons.

It may have seemed odd that Rick Carlisle appeared pleased to announce in his pre-game news conference Tuesday that his All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton has a mild groin strain, but that was because of what he was reporting that the injury was not.

The Pacers got off to a bad start, but they are 10-3 since Dec. 13. And Haliburton has regained his All-Star form.

The night before, Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers' franchise player, had said following a loss in Toronto that they were putting an embarrassing product on the floor and needed to start matching or exceeding their opponents' energy level.

For the game, they will likely be without their best player, as All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is on the injury report. Haliburton is averaging 18.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 44.

Around the midway point of the season, the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers are clearly trending in opposite directions.

Following a subpar start to the season, the Indiana Pacers responded with an elite stretch of basketball. Over the past 10 games, they recorded an 8-2 record. At 23-19, the Pacers steadily ascend the Eastern Conference standings. A recent statistic from a graph revealed shocking results for the Pacers.

Myles Turner scored 28 points and Pascal Siakam added 26 to lead the Pacers over the Pistons on Thursday night.

Pacers: Aaron Nesmith (left ankle sprain) returned after missing 2 1/2 months and Haliburton (groin) was back after sitting out Indiana’s last game. Nesmith started with Bennedict Mathurin suspended for bumping official Natalie Sago in Tuesday’s loss to Cleveland.