NEW ORLEANS — Nearly 16 months after tearing his right Achilles tendon in a grueling Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton made his long-awaited return to the hardwood on Wednesday night, scoring 23 points and dishing out 12 assists in a 123-120 season-opening victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Haliburton logged 33 minutes at the Smoothie King Center, sealing his comeback after a grueling rehabilitation process that included reconstructive surgery on June 23, 2025. The 26-year-old two-time All-Star showed flashes of his old form immediately, scoring 16 of his points in the fourth quarter to help the Pacers fend off a late surge.
The road back to competitive basketball tested Haliburton physically and mentally. After suffering the injury in the opening quarter of the 2025 Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder—an attempt to play through a calf strain that ultimately backfired—he missed the entirety of the 2025-26 season. During his absence, the Pacers plunged to a franchise-worst 19-63 record while watching the rival New York Knicks claim their first championship since 1973.
Compounding his physical recovery, Haliburton was diagnosed with a severe case of shingles in February, which brought intense nerve pain, swelling, weight loss, and temporary eyebrow hair loss. His father, John Haliburton, noted that his son leaned heavily on his faith and determination to navigate what the family described as a career reset.
Throughout his grueling recovery, Haliburton maintained a close connection with the Pacers, traveling with the team for much of last season until the shingles diagnosis halted his movement. Head coach Rick Carlisle praised Haliburton’s enduring leadership alongside teammate Pascal Siakam, who led all scorers with 30 points in Wednesday’s win.
Haliburton also credited fellow NBA players for guiding him through the mental hurdles of a major Achilles injury. He maintained a steady dialogue with New Orleans guard Dejounte Murray, who suffered a similar Achilles tear in January 2025. Haliburton noted that he sought advice from Murray even during Wednesday’s contest, leaning on him for counsel about regaining his conditioning.
Paying homage to another major influence, Haliburton walked into the arena wearing a denim and leather jacket reminiscent of the one WWE star Triple H wore during his own return from a severe quad tear in 2002.
Following Wednesday’s victory, where he was supported by a contingent of family, friends, and team staff who traveled on a private plane, Haliburton was brought to tears seeing the visiting Pacers fans celebrate in New Orleans. He reflected on the arduous journey from an unheralded high school prospect in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to rebuilding his game from ground zero.
The Pacers will host their home opener on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marking Haliburton’s first game in Indianapolis since Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
