Tyrese Haliburton waited 486 days to play in another NBA game that counted. When it was over, the moment clearly hit him. The Indiana Pacers star returned to regular-season action on Wednesday night, finishing with 23 points and 12 assists as the Pacers rallied for a 123-120 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
Afterward, Haliburton was visibly emotional as he reflected on finally being back. “It means a lot to be back out here,” he said.
It was his first regular-season game since tearing his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury cost him all of last season, and Indiana won just 19 games without him.
The Pacers trailed by 10 at halftime and did not retake the lead until five minutes remained, but Haliburton and company found a way to close it out.