NBA6 hours ago2 minute read

Tyrese Haliburton Return Leads Pacers Past Pelicans

Tyrese Haliburton scored 23 points in his return from an Achilles injury as the Indiana Pacers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120.

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Haliburton Tears Up in Winning Return

Tyrese Haliburton made his return to the court after missing 16 and a half months with a torn Achilles. The Indiana Pacers star broke into tears of joy seeing visiting fans at the Smoothie King Center during a 123-120 season opening victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Haliburton finished with 23 points and 12 assists in 33 minutes. He scored 16 of those points in the fourth quarter. He had torn his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 22, 2025. Without him, Indiana struggled to a 19-63 record last season. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with a game high 30 points.

Late Tension and Support

The Pelicans took a 66-56 halftime lead after Zion Williamson made a buzzer beating three pointer. Williamson finished with 22 points. Haliburton went scoreless in the second and third quarters before finding his rhythm in the final quarter.

Haliburton picked up a technical foul after trash talk with New Orleans big man Derik Queen. He joked after the game that he wanted his money back for the technical. He credited Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, who tore his own Achilles in January 2025, for being a key mentor during his recovery.

Late in the game, Andrew Nembhard hit a layup to put Indiana ahead 106-104. Nembhard later committed a travel with about 14 seconds left, but New Orleans missed three three pointers in the final seconds as Indiana held on.

A group of 12 people flew in on a private plane to support Haliburton, including his wife Jade, his parents John and Brenda, his two brothers, and his agent Aaron Mintz.

What it means for the next game

Dallas Mavericks at Indiana Pacers (NBA, Fri, 23 Oct): Indiana Pacers win 48%, Dallas Mavericks win 52%; projected score Indiana Pacers 118, Dallas Mavericks 118. Our safest pick: Pacers +8.5.

New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz (NBA, Sat, 24 Oct): Utah Jazz win 48%, New Orleans Pelicans win 52%; projected score Utah Jazz 123, New Orleans Pelicans 122. Our safest pick: Pelicans +8.5.