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Tyrese Haliburton hadn’t touched the floor in a meaningful basketball game in 486 days.
So in the moments after he dropped 23 points and 12 assists for the Pacers on Wednesday night, it was no wonder he was feeling all the emotions.
Haliburton spoke with Indiana’s broadcast after the team’s 123-120 win over the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans about what this return to the floor meant and just how exciting it was to be back in a game that counted.
But before he could give his answer on what this game meant, Haliburton had to fight back tears with his hand and a towel.
“It means a lot to be back out here,” Haliburton said as he tried to compose himself.
Haliburton suffered a devastating tear of his Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the eventual champion Thunder after he had been dealing with a right calf strain.
He did not return to action last season as the Pacers finished with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 19-63.
Haliburton suited up in three preseason games before the opener, but Wednesday’s win marked a true triumph and return for the two-time All-NBA member.
He played 34 minutes, hit 53.3 percent of his field goal attempts and added two rebounds in Indiana’s first win of the season.
In a long, year-plus rehab, Haliburton finally saw the fruits of his labor play out on the court.
“Yeah, a lot — a lot,” Haliburton said when asked if he had thought about his return during the rehab process.
“I’m just really thankful to be back out here.”