Tyrese Haliburton finally made his long-awaited return to the court on Wednesday night, playing in an NBA game for the first time since he suffered a brutal Achilles tear in June of 2025. This wasn’t just any comeback, though. The star guard brought the house down, literally, inviting the entire Iowa State student section to Gainbridge Fieldhouse solely for his preseason debut. Talk about showing up!
Haliburton’s Epic Homecoming With His Cyclone Crew
Haliburton knew exactly who to call to make his return special. “I think it’ll be fun for everybody,” he said, and you can tell he meant it. He added, “I know there’s nobody as passionate about Iowa State as the current students.” And he wasn’t wrong. The Iowa State student section, rocking up for a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, was ready to deliver. This wasn’t just about getting back on the court for Tyrese, it was about bringing the energy, his people, and his whole vibe back with him after an entire brutal season sidelined by that Achilles injury.
“Mr. Brightside” Meets “F*** KU!” Mid-Game
Midway through the third quarter, the cameras caught a moment that instantly went viral. The Iowa State students, known for their spirited antics, broke into a full-throated rendition of “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers. It’s a classic for them at sporting events, and what happened next was pure magic. Haliburton, chilling on the bench, started belting out the chorus right along with them! You could see he was simply having the time of his life in what most guys would consider a ‘measly’ preseason game. But then, as the song climaxed, the students took it to another level, closing out their performance by screaming “F*** KU!” a straight-up, no-holds-barred dig at their Big 12 rivals, Kansas. And Haliburton? He was right there with them, enjoying every single second of that wild, unscripted moment.
This dude spent two seasons at Iowa State, and even though his second year got cut short thanks to COVID, his connection to that Cyclones fanbase is undeniable. After a whole year stuck on the sidelines recovering from that torn Achilles, seeing him so happy and engaged, singing his heart out and getting in on the rivalry chants, tells you everything you need to know. Haliburton hopes to get back to his old self this season, and based on Wednesday night, it looks like he is already in a much happier place. What a way to kick off a comeback!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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