Tyrese Haliburton Returns With 23 and 12

Tyrese Haliburton is back. After missing all of the 2025-26 season with a torn Achilles suffered in the 2025 NBA Finals, Haliburton returned Tuesday in Indiana’s 123-120 season-opening win over New Orleans. He finished with 23 points and 12 assists. “It means a lot to be back out here,” Haliburton said after 16 months of rehab. Indiana lost Haliburton in Game 7 of the Finals against Oklahoma City, right when the team was close to a title. Now he’s back running the offense, and the Pacers can start chasing that same level again. Staying healthy will be the big thing.