Tyrese Haliburton’s return to the court after 486 grueling days was everything fans hoped for, culminating in a 123-120 season-opening win for the Indiana Pacers over the Pelicans. But it was after the buzzer, during his postgame interview, that the emotion truly hit, with the star guard breaking down in tears as he reflected on his long-awaited comeback.
More Than a Game: 486 Days of Grit
Haliburton’s journey back has been a long one. He tore his Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Thunder, an injury that sidelined him for the entire subsequent season. Without their main man, the Pacers stumbled to a brutal 19-63 record last season, even losing 13 of their first 14 games. His absence was felt hard, and his return on Wednesday was his first non-preseason game since that Finals heartbreak. The raw emotion was clear in his postgame interview, where he simply said, “It means a lot to be back out here. … I’m just really thankful to be back out here.” You could feel that.
The Clutch Factor That Changes Everything
Haliburton didn’t just show up; he delivered. He finished with an incredible 23 points, 12 assists, two rebounds, and a steal in 34 minutes of action. And talk about clutch! With the Pacers trailing by as many as 10 points earlier, Haliburton took over the fourth quarter, dropping 16 of his 23 points in that final frame. The defining moment came with just 1:25 remaining. He had the ball at the top of the arc, crossed over left, drove into the paint, took contact from Zion Williamson, and somehow finished with a tough left-handed floater. That three-point play gave Indiana the lead back for good. The Pelicans had chances to tie it up on their next possession, but Jeremiah Fears and Williamson both missed their attempts, securing the Pacers’ opening night victory.
This kind of performance shows exactly why the Pacers are expected to bounce back and contend in a loaded Eastern Conference this season. What a way to kick things off. Haliburton’s back, and so are the Pacers.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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