Tyrese Haliburton scores 23 in emotional return to NBA

Tyrese Haliburton returned to the NBA court Wednesday after an absence of nearly 500 days, scoring 23 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 123-120 season-opening victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The two-time All-Star, who missed the entire 2025-26 season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, was visibly emotional during his postgame interview.

Haliburton suffered the injury during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, a series in which the Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately claimed the championship. His return marks the end of a long recovery period that saw him sidelined for a full season. During the on-court interview, Haliburton struggled to hold back tears while reflecting on his time away from the game.

"It means a lot to be back out here," Haliburton said. He noted that the team had areas to improve, specifically citing the second quarter, but expressed pride in how the group fought through to finish strong. He added, "I'm just really thankful to be back out here."

The Pacers faced significant challenges in the first half of the game, trailing by as many as 10 points. Haliburton was particularly effective in the final quarter, accounting for 16 of his total points. His performance included a key play in the closing minutes that helped secure the lead for Indiana.

The team's performance last season highlighted the impact of Haliburton's absence. Without their star guard, the Pacers finished with only 19 wins, a sharp decline from the previous year when they came within one victory of winning an NBA championship. With Haliburton back in the lineup, Indiana expects to be a contender in a competitive Eastern Conference.

The Pacers will host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday for their home opener.