Tyrese Haliburton Returns With 23 Points as Pacers Edge Pelicans
Tyrese Haliburton’s return gave Indiana an emotional opening night and a winning finish. The Pacers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123–120 on Wednesday, October 21st, with Haliburton contributing 23 points and 12 assists in his first game back from a torn right Achilles tendon.
As the Associated Press reported on NBA.com, Haliburton had been away for more than 16 months. The injury occurred during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against Oklahoma City and cost him the entire following season. His postgame interview brought tears as he reflected on reaching this moment.
A fourth-quarter comeback
Indiana still needed to recover from a difficult middle stretch. The game recap carried by WBBW lists New Orleans ahead 66–56 at halftime and 92–86 entering the fourth quarter. A 13–3 Pacers run helped turn the closing period into a possession-by-possession contest.
With the score tied at 116, Haliburton drove past Trey Murphy for a layup. Another finish, this time through contact from Herb Jones, produced a three-point play and put Indiana ahead for good. That sequence gave his comeback a competitive payoff beyond simply getting back onto the floor.
Help across the lineup
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 30 points. Obi Toppin supplied 20 off the bench, Andrew Nembhard added 18 points and nine assists, and Ivica Zubac finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds. New Orleans received 23 points from Dejounte Murray and 22 from Zion Williamson.
Quenton Jackson’s late free throws made it 123–120. The Pelicans still had opportunities, but late three-point attempts from Jeremiah Fears and Williamson did not fall. Indiana escaped with the result after a night that tested both its recovery and its closing execution.
The Pacers’ next scheduled game is their home opener against Dallas on Friday, October 23rd. For Indiana, the first result offers a starting point: its lead guard is back, and his return already includes a win.
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