Tyrese Haliburton has emotional reaction to long-awaited return

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton has emotional reaction to long-awaited return

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Oct 22, 2026 12:06 AM ET

For the first time since Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers had their star point guard Tyrese Haliburton on the floor in a meaningful game.

Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn Achilles. The long journey of getting back on the court finally wrapped up Wednesday, and it was an emotional night for Haliburton.

Tyrese Haliburton was emotional after Wednesday's game

Haliburton was excellent in Indiana's 123-120 opening night win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He posted one of what will be many double-doubles this season with 23 points and 12 assists.

After such a long time away from the court, Haliburton was understandably emotional in his postgame interview.

"It means a lot to be back out here," Haliburton said. "I'm just really thankful to be back out here."

Tyrese Haliburton broke down during his postgame interview with Jeremiah Johnson

So good to have you back, 0 pic.twitter.com/w0py2seq2C
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 22, 2026

After 486 days away from the floor, Tyrese Haliburton dropped a DOUBLE-DOUBLE in his return

23 PTS
12 AST

Pacers win on the road! pic.twitter.com/KNbkDuEqNd
— NBA (@NBA) October 22, 2026

Can Indiana Pacers get back to where it was just two seasons ago?

Many argue that had Haliburton not been injured in that NBA Finals Game, the Pacers would have come away victorious and crowned the NBA champions.

That's ultimately not what happened, and without Haliburton, Indiana came up short in the game and then had a horrific 2025-26 season with a record of 19-63, one of the worst in the entire league.

Now, though, Haliburton is back, and Indiana has a lot of the same roster it did two seasons ago when it reached the NBA Finals. It has also added pieces like Ivica Zubac and Kelly Oubre Jr. that will play key roles and be expected to make major contributions.

Barring any major injuries, the Pacers are more than capable of competing atop the Eastern Conference.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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