Tyrese Haliburton struggled to hold back tears after returning to NBA action following a 16-month absence. The Indiana Pacers guard delivered a strong performance Wednesday, helping his team defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120 in their season opener.
Haliburton finished with 23 points and 12 assists in 34 minutes. His emotional reaction during a postgame interview showed how much the moment meant after months of rehabilitation.
“It means a lot to be back out here,” Emotional Haliburton told sideline reporter Jeremiah Johnson.
MORE: Knicks superfan Tracy Morgan roasts Bronny James before NBA season opener
When asked about the work behind his comeback, the 26-year-old reflected on his lengthy recovery.
“Yeah, a lot,” Haliburton said when asked whether he had thought about returning during rehabilitation. “I’m just really thankful to be back out here.”
Haliburton also praised his team’s effort in its season-opening win. He was proud of how the Pacers responded and finished the game.
“Yeah, it’s coming along well,” Haliburton said. “We got a lot to pick up. Second quarter wasn’t good, but you know, we’re battle-tested, so we finished this game the right way. Just really proud of this group.”
"It means a lot to be back out there."
— NBA (@NBA) October 22, 2026
An emotional Tyrese Haliburton on his highly anticipated return after 486 days away 🥹
He finished with 23 PTS and 12 AST as the Pacers win their season opener! pic.twitter.com/gukgvmsiYb
Tyrese Haliburton delivers when the Pacers need him
Haliburton’s return was not only emotional but also important for Indiana’s opening-night victory. The Pacers trailed 92-86 entering the fourth quarter before mounting a comeback.
With New Orleans leading 101-93, Haliburton helped spark a decisive run. Indiana outscored the Pelicans 15-3 to take control of the game.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 30 points, including 12 in the final quarter. Obi Toppin added 20 points, while Ivica Zubac recorded 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Haliburton’s return followed a devastating right Achilles tendon rupture during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury forced him to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
His absence lasted 486 days, making Wednesday’s appearance a significant milestone in his career.
MORE: LeBron James & 76ers teammates make NBA history in debut game
The Pacers guard now faces the challenge of rebuilding his rhythm and maintaining his health throughout the season. His performance against New Orleans offered encouraging signs, particularly his late-game composure.
However, the result meant more than the numbers to Haliburton. After 16 months away from competition, he finally returned to the court and helped his team secure a hard-fought win.
—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —