Haliburton returns from Achilles injury to lead Pacers past Pelicans

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

Tyrese Haliburton scored 23 points in his first game in 486 days after tearing his Achilles tendon, helping the Pacers beat the Pelicans 123-120.

Tyrese Haliburton scored 23 points and 12 assists as the Pacers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120 on Wednesday in his return from an Achilles tear. The guard had not played in a meaningful basketball game in 486 days after suffering the injury during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. He spent the entire 2025-26 season recovering, during which the Pacers finished with just 19 wins.

Haliburton played 34 minutes and shot 53.3 per cent from the field. He was particularly effective in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points as Indiana mounted a comeback from trailing by as many as 10 points. He made a key play late in the game that put the Pacers ahead for good.

During his postgame interview, Haliburton became visibly emotional when reflecting on his return. 'It means a lot to be back out here,' he said while fighting back tears. He added that he was 'really thankful to be back out here' and expressed pride in how the team finished the game despite struggling in the second quarter.

How it is being reported

• Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton moved to tears after long-awaited return from Achilles injuryTyrese Halliburton was moved to tears after returning from his Achilles injury, then scored 16 fourth-quarter points to lift the Pacers past the Pelicans.Fox News · 23 Oct, 02:18
• Tyrese Haliburton fights back tears in emotional Pacers return after Achilles tearTyrese Haliburton hadn't touched the floor in a meaningful basketball game in 486 days.New York Post · 22 Oct, 04:46

In this story: Tyrese Haliburton · Indiana Pacers · New Orleans Pelicans · Oklahoma City Thunder

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