Haliburton Emotional After Long Road Back to Pacers
WHO:
Fox News - Tyrese Haliburton, a 26-year-old Indiana Pacers guard and two-time NBA All-Star, returned from a torn Achilles tendon injury.
Andscape - Haliburton is a 6-foot-5, 190-pound guard, a former Iowa State player and a 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist with USA Basketball.
Andscape - Pacers coach Rick Carlisle described Haliburton and Pascal Siakam as two of the team’s main leaders. Siakam scored a game-high 30 points in the return game.
Andscape - New Orleans coach Jamahl Mosley recalled Haliburton’s performance in the 2025 Finals, calling him “fearless.”
Andscape - Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, who also tore his right Achilles, advised Haliburton during his recovery. Haliburton said, “He’s a brother, for sure.”
Andscape - Haliburton’s wife, Jada, parents John and Brenda, and other relatives attended his return game. His support group also included agent Aaron Mintz, shooting coach Drew Hanlen and marketing representative Kristina Kozica.
WHAT:
Andscape - Haliburton said he had to catch his breath after being knocked into the air and colliding with the scorer’s table: “I was tired as hell.”
Andscape - Haliburton said his return game featured “a double-double, a dunk in traffic with a foul, a couple of three-point plays,” and trash-talking that led to a technical foul he believed should be rescinded.
Andscape - Haliburton said the NBA’s “mundane things”—practices, plane rides, postgame bus recaps, on-court scuffles and talking to fans—were what he missed most.
Fox News - Haliburton scored 23 points in the Pacers’ 123-120 season-opening road win over the New Orleans Pelicans; he scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and made a late play that put Indiana ahead for good.
Andscape - Haliburton recorded 12 assists in 33 minutes. He was knocked into the air by Zion Williamson and collided with the scorer’s table, then got up and continued playing.
Fox News - Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Indiana finished the season with 19 wins.
Andscape - The Pacers’ 19-63 record was the worst in franchise history. Haliburton said watching the team struggle and hearing commentary focus on his absence was difficult.
Andscape - Haliburton had reconstructive surgery on his right Achilles, later completed preseason games with Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Milwaukee, and said he was “100 percent” healthy with no restrictions at media day.
Fox News - Haliburton said, “It means a lot to be back out here,” and “I’m just really thankful to be back out here.”
WHERE:
Fox News - The return game was played at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Andscape - Haliburton’s family and friends traveled to New Orleans to support him; he said 12 people were on the private plane.
WHEN:
Fox News - The articles describe Haliburton’s return in a season-opening game; the date is omitted under the date rules.
Andscape - Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and underwent surgery on June 23, 2025.
Andscape - Haliburton’s scheduled home opener against the Dallas Mavericks is described as upcoming; the article does not give a future calendar date.
WHY:
Andscape - Haliburton said he viewed his recovery as a chance to return to his roots and prove to himself that he could regain his level of play: “I know I’ve persevered.”
Andscape - Haliburton said seeing Pacers fans in New Orleans brought him to tears: “That was special.”
Andscape - Haliburton said family members came because they did not want him to experience his return alone after supporting him through his injury.
HOW:
Andscape - Haliburton wore a denim-and-leather jacket inspired by Triple H’s return attire to honor him; Haliburton said the WWE legend had a major impact on his recovery.
Andscape - Haliburton’s recovery included Achilles rehabilitation and treatment after a severe case of shingles that caused swelling, nerve pain, eyebrow hair loss, eye issues and weight loss. His father said Haliburton relied on determination and faith.
Andscape - Haliburton said teammates and staff helped rebuild his confidence by not panicking when he fell during workouts. He also sought recovery advice from Murray.
(UPDATED October 23, 2026 03:16 UTC)
Tyrese Haliburton returned from a torn Achilles tendon to help the Indiana Pacers open their season with a 123-to-120 road win over New Orleans. The two-time All-Star scored 23 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, and made the late play that put Indiana ahead for good. He also had 12 assists in 33 minutes, and kept playing after Zion Williamson knocked him into the air and he hit the scorer’s table. Haliburton missed the entire previous season after tearing his right Achilles in the NBA Finals, as Indiana finished with a franchise-worst 19 wins. He said he was fully healthy and unrestricted, and grateful to be back. His family traveled to New Orleans to support him, while fellow Achilles-injury survivor Dejounte Murray offered recovery advice. Haliburton said he missed the everyday routines of basketball, from practices and plane rides to talking with fans.
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(UPDATED October 23, 2026 02:19 UTC)
Tyrese Haliburton returned from a torn right Achilles and scored 23 points as the Indiana Pacers beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 123 to 120, in their season opener. The 26-year-old guard had 16 points in the fourth quarter, 12 assists, and a late play that put Indiana ahead for good. He missed the entire previous season after the injury in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, when the Pacers went on to finish with the worst record in franchise history. Haliburton said he was fully healthy, with no restrictions, and grateful to be back. His return drew family and friends to New Orleans, including his wife and parents; he said 12 people traveled with him on a private plane. Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, who also tore an Achilles, advised him through recovery. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 30 points.