Haliburton fights back tears after Pacers' opening win
Tyrese Haliburton scored 23 points and had 12 assists as Indiana beat the Pelicans 123-120 in his first non-preseason game since an Achilles tear.
AI-generated illustration · Not an actual photo of the events described
Tyrese Haliburton was moved to tears after returning to the court for the Indiana Pacers in their 123-120 season-opening win over the Pelicans on Wednesday. It was his first appearance outside the preseason in 486 days following an Achilles tendon tear.
Haliburton scored 23 points and provided 12 assists in 34 minutes. Speaking to Pacers sideline reporter Jeremiah Johnson after the game, he said: “It means a lot to be back out here.” He added: “I’m just really thankful to be back out here.”
A decisive fourth quarter
Haliburton scored 16 of his points in the fourth quarter, including the play that put Indiana ahead for good. With 1:25 remaining, he drove from the top of the arc, took contact from Zion Williamson in the paint and finished a left-handed floater for a three-point play.
The Pacers had trailed by as many as 10 points before completing their comeback. The Pelicans had multiple chances to tie the game during their penultimate offensive possession, but Jeremiah Fears and Williamson both missed.
Haliburton also finished with two rebounds and a steal. His late contribution gave Indiana the lead when the game was still in the balance.
Return after a season out
Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Thunder. He did not play last season while recovering, making Wednesday’s game his first non-preseason appearance since the injury.
Without him, the Pacers went 19-63 last season. That record included defeats in 13 of their first 14 games, a difficult start to a campaign he spent on the sidelines.
The opening win gave Indiana a different result to begin this season, with Haliburton playing a central role in it. His emotional postgame interview reflected what returning to the court meant to him after the long absence.
What comes next for Indiana
The Pacers are expected to bounce back and contend in a loaded Eastern Conference. Haliburton’s 34 minutes, 23 points and late go-ahead play showed his influence in his first game back.
But for Haliburton, it also marked the end of a wait that had kept him out for all of last season.
Source: CBS Sports. This article was compiled by the iBET.news newsroom from the source report and other public information.
