Tyrese Haliburton Holds Back Tears in 1st Game Back From Achilles Tear

Tyrese Haliburton broke down during an emotional postgame interview.

Tyrese Haliburton Holds Back Tears in 1st Game Back From Achilles Tear

Tyrese Haliburton (Image credits - AP News)

It has been a long wait for Tyrese Haliburton to get back to the NBA court. His last appearance was in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder last year before he tore his Achilles tendon.

After a forgettable 2025-26 campaign, the Indiana Pacers kicked off the new season in flying colors against the New Orleans Pelicans. It was a closely fought game, but it was the Pacers who came out on top in the end as they registered a 123-120 victory at the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night.

It had been 486 days since Haliburton last played in a meaningful game. The Pacers guard did not show any signs of rust as he recorded a double-double. He finished the night with 23 points and 12 assists.

After the win, Tyrese Haliburton spoke with Indiana’s broadcast and broke down into tears. His voice was cracking as he said:

It means a lot to be back out here.

Tyrese Haliburton in his postgame interview

The season opener was an emotional night for the young guard who tore his Achilles 16 months ago in the biggest match of his life. It has been a long road to recovery as he suffered some health setbacks along the way.

However, it was an eventful summer for the 26-year-old. While he rehabbed and worked his way to full fitness, he also tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend, Jade Jones, in August. The game on Wednesday may not have carried the same weight as Game 7 of the NBA Finals, but it showed that it meant a lot to Tyrese Haliburton after everything he has been through.

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Tyrese Haliburton on his emotional return from his Achilles injury

It wasn’t a surprise to see Tyrese Haliburton get overwhelmed by emotion on Wednesday night. It is never easy to get injured in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals and see one’s dream of winning an NBA championship that year go up in smoke.

However, Haliburton has his chance at redemption after 16 months. He suited up in three preseason games before Wednesday’s season opener, but the win over the Pelicans marked a true triumph.

After the win, Haliburton admitted he didn’t think he’d cry, but he felt overwhelmed seeing the Pacers fans in the building.

Just the appreciation, man. Perspective is everything, and as the game was going on, I was struggling a little bit. We were not playing well; I was not playing well. I just took a step back when I was on the bench, and I said, ‘Man, I’m back playing, you know?’ I’m just really appreciative to be back playing basketball.

Tyrese Haliburton in his post match press conference

Haliburton was emotional during his first preseason game when the Pacers took on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Hilton Coliseum, home of his alma mater, Iowa State University. But the feelings were understandably different in an official NBA game.

Tyrese Haliburton sparked a comeback in the fourth quarter

The Pacers started off strong and raced off to a 38-31 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, the Pelicans bounced back strongly as Tyrese Haliburton and his teammates struggled on both ends of the floor. The home side took a 10-point lead into halftime.

Tyrese Haliburton
Tyrese Haliburton (Image credits – The Washington Post)

While the Pacers of last season would have crumbled, Haliburton provided them with some much-needed spark in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter. He took charge in the fourth quarter when his team was down 86-82.

He scored eight points when they went on a 15-3 run and retook the lead. In the end, it was a triumphant return for the guard. The win also showed that the Pacers are ready to mount a challenge in the Eastern Conference this season.

While all eyes are on the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers this campaign, the Pacers will be looking to spoil the party in the playoffs next year. They are battle-tested and have all the tools to reach the NBA Finals once again. After all, the last time Tyrese Haliburton was playing, they made it to Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

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