Tyrese Haliburton Makes Emotional Return for Indiana Pacers After 16 Months
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton returned to the court after 16 months following an Achilles injury, scoring seven points in a preseason win over Minnesota.
After more than 16 months and over 400 days without an NBA game, Tyrese Haliburton returned to the floor on Wednesday night. The Indiana Pacers star played 16 minutes in a 123-112 preseason victory over Minnesota, finishing with seven points, six assists, one steal, and two blocks, marking a crucial step in his recovery.
The Return to Action
"It's the first game, but I need to slow down," Haliburton admitted after the final buzzer. "There was just a lot of adrenaline. I was thrilled to be out there, very excited, but I just need to pace myself a bit."
This was his first appearance since tearing his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. He noted that the feeling was almost like starting over. "I feel a bit like a rookie," he shared, though he added that his court vision remained intact.
"There are many things I need to improve and our team needs to improve, but I am just happy to be back on the parquet."
A Special Venue
The comeback carried special significance as it took place at Iowa State, where Haliburton played college basketball for two years. To make the night even more memorable, he purchased all the tickets for the student sections on both sides of the arena, allowing students to enter on a first-come, first-served basis.
The result was a massive queue outside the arena hours before tipoff. Haliburton played the entire first half before sitting out the rest of the game, leaving the crowd chanting for his return while he relaxed on the bench in sandals and socks.
