Tyrese Haliburton, Derik Queen have to be separated after verbal altercation in Pacers-Pelicans appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indiana Pacers and the New Orleans Pelicans battled in a seesaw affair in their season opener at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday. The Pacers went on a surge in the fourth quarter and pulled off a come-from-behind win, 123-120.
Tyrese Haliburton was terrific in his much-awaited return from his Achilles injury, finishing with 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting and 12 assists. Haliburton scored eight of Indiana’s 10 points in a 90-second stretch in the final period to seize control.
The two-time All-Star also had a heated exchange with Derik Queen as they were walking to their respective benches in the fourth quarter. They were separated before anything escalated. Haliburton was called for a technical foul.
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Tyrese Haliburton was given a technical foul for this altercation involving Derik Queen 👀 pic.twitter.com/WdgE8mypO2
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 22, 2026
Queen had a solid outing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals in 18 minutes off the bench. He is expected to take the next step after showing promise in his rookie year.
The 21-year-old Queen has a sense of humor and a fun-loving personality, but he showed that he will never back down when he is on the floor, even against an established veteran like Haliburton.
Haliburton had plenty of support, with Pascal Siakam tallying 30 points and eight rebounds and Ivica Zubac adding 16 points, 25 rebounds, and two blocks.
Dejounte Murray led the Pelicans with 23 points, three rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and three blocks. Zion Williamson contributed 22 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Indiana outscored New Orleans, 37-28, in the fourth quarter.
The Pacers and the Pelicans will return to action on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Utah Jazz, respectively.
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