Tyrese Haliburton made his long-awaited return to regular-season NBA action Wednesday night, helping the Indiana Pacers defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120 in their season opener. After missing the entire 2025-26 season with a torn Achilles tendon, the All Star point guard delivered a memorable performance that reminded fans what he can bring to Indiana.
Haliburton finished with 23 points and 12 assists in 34 minutes, providing a major boost as the Pacers began their new campaign with a hard-fought road victory. His return came 486 days after he suffered the devastating injury during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Haliburton Delivers When It Matters Most
While Haliburton showed some signs of rust throughout the game, he became increasingly comfortable as the night progressed. His passing helped create opportunities for his teammates, while his ability to attack the basket became especially important down the stretch.
With the score tied at 116 in the fourth quarter, Haliburton drove past Trey Murphy III for a layup. He then attacked New Orleans again on the next possession, drawing a foul against defensive standout Herb Jones and completing a three point play.
Those consecutive scoring possessions helped Indiana take control of a tight game and demonstrated Haliburton’s importance to the Pacers’ offense.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 30 points, while Obi Toppin contributed 20 points off the bench. Andrew Nembhard added 18 points as the Pacers found enough offensive production to survive a competitive opener.
An Emotional Moment After the Buzzer
The victory meant more than just the first win of a new season. After the game, Haliburton became emotional during a postgame interview as he reflected on the long rehabilitation process and the challenges of being away from basketball.
The injury occurred on the biggest stage of his career, ending his participation in the NBA Finals and forcing him to spend an entire season working toward his return.
Seeing him back on the court, contributing to a victory and playing a decisive role late in the game represented a significant milestone for both Haliburton and the organization.
A Promising Start for Indiana
Haliburton’s return gives Indiana renewed optimism after a difficult season without its leading playmaker. His combination of scoring, passing and late-game decision-making could be crucial as the Pacers look to reestablish themselves in the Eastern Conference.
Wednesday’s performance does not erase the challenges of returning from a serious injury, but it provides an encouraging first step.
For Haliburton, the biggest victory was getting back to doing what he loves. For the Pacers, his return came with a win and a reminder of how dangerous this team can be with its star point guard back in the lineup.