Tyrese Haliburton scores 23 in return as Pacers beat Pelicans 123-120

Tyrese Haliburton scored 23 points and had 12 assists in his return to meaningful NBA action on Wednesday, October 21, as the Indiana Pacers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120 in their season opener in New Orleans. Fieldhouse Files reported that it was his first game of consequence in 486 days, making the close road win a significant step in his return to the Pacers’ lineup.

Haliburton’s fourth quarter against the Pelicans

Haliburton scored 13 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, according to Fieldhouse Files. Easy Sportz reported that, with the score tied at 116, he drove past Trey Murphy III for a layup. On Indiana’s next possession, he drew a foul against Herb Jones and completed a three-point play. The consecutive scoring possessions helped the Pacers gain an edge in a game they won by three points.

Fieldhouse Files reported that the victory was Indiana’s first at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center since January 4, 2021. It ended a five-game losing streak for the Pacers at the venue, adding a road result to the significance of Haliburton’s return.

Haliburton’s return after the 2025 NBA Finals

Easy Sportz reported that Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fieldhouse Files described Wednesday’s opener as his first meaningful game since that Finals game, although he had played in three of Indiana’s four preseason games before facing New Orleans.

The regular-season opener therefore marked a different stage of his return from the preseason appearances: Haliburton played 34 minutes and produced a double-double in a game decided in the closing minutes, according to Easy Sportz. His 13 fourth-quarter points, as reported by Fieldhouse Files, show how much of his scoring came while the result was still in doubt.

Haliburton’s preseason return had already put him back on court with the Pacers, but Wednesday brought his first regular-season appearance since the injury. His scoring and passing helped Indiana start its campaign with a win rather than merely marking another step in his return to play.