INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Pacers are coming off their first trip to the NBA Finals in 25 years, but they will be without a couple big pieces.

Star guard Tyrese Haliburton has been ruled out for the season after he tore his right Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Center Myles Turner, who was with the Pacers for 10 seasons, signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason.

While team will be without Haliburton, Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan is not saying this will be a gap year.

“We hear people talk about this being a gap year,” Buchanan said. “I don’t think that’s ever been what we’ve been about. With Mr. Simon as our owner, it’s always been about trying to compete and trying to win. Some years are going to be more challenging than others. Obviously we’re down Tyrese, so that will make some challenges, but we’re not looking at this as a year we’re just trying to get through. We’d never wish away a season.”

Buchanan sees this season without Haliburton as an opportunity for other players to step up.

This is also a Pacers team that has a lot of players returning that have shown that they have an underdog mentality.

“I think this team has shown that they come together when people kind of doubt them,” Buchanan said. “I think they feel and they sense and they hear the doubt about this season for us and we’re still going to have a lot of the same identity. We still have a lot of the same core pieces on this team. The traits that those guys bring, what our coaches bring is still there. I wouldn’t put a limit on anything for this year.”

The Pacers will open the season against the same team they played in the NBA Finals: the Oklahoma City Thunder. The season opener is scheduled for October 23 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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