Tyrese Haliburton made an emotional return to NBA action after more than 16 months recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 123-120 season-opening victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Haliburton suffered the injury during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder and missed the entire 2025-26 season while undergoing rehabilitation.
In his long-awaited return, the two-time All-Star played nearly 34 minutes, recording 23 points and 12 assists. He was particularly impressive in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 points and taking control of the game when Indiana needed him most.
With the score tied at 116, Haliburton drove past Trey Murphy for a layup before attacking Herb Jones on the following possession, converting another layup and drawing a foul. Those crucial plays gave the Pacers a lead they would not surrender.
After the game, Haliburton became emotional during a courtside interview, shedding tears as he reflected on the difficult rehabilitation process. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play basketball again and thanked the Pacers fans who traveled to New Orleans to support the team.
Head coach Rick Carlisle praised Haliburton's performance, particularly his ability to play nearly 34 minutes and dominate the closing stages despite his extended absence.
The 26-year-old point guard marked his comeback with a double-double and a victory, providing an inspiring start to Indiana's 2026-27 campaign.