Tyrese Haliburton returns from his torn Achilles with 23 points and 12 assists as the Pacers edge the Pelicans 123-120

Tyrese Haliburton is back. The Indiana Pacers star had 23 points and 12 assists Wednesday night in his first game since tearing his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals as Indiana rallied to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120.

It was his first game in 486 days. Haliburton shot 8 for 15 from the field, 2 for 6 from 3-point range and 5 for 5 at the line in 34 minutes.

The Pelicans led 66-56 at halftime in New Orleans. Indiana outscored them 67-54 after the break, including 37-28 in the fourth quarter.

A Triple H entrance

An avid WWE fan, Haliburton arrived in a denim and leather jacket like the one Triple H wore for his surprise return at Madison Square Garden in January 2002 after tearing his quad. Before the game he posted a hype video narrated by Triple H himself.

The two have crossed paths before. Haliburton wore custom D-Generation X shoes in a March 2025 game, attended the Royal Rumble in Indianapolis in February 2024 and went face to face with Jalen Brunson at a WWE event in June 2024.

Plenty of help

Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 30 points on 13-for-23 shooting and eight rebounds. Obi Toppin scored 20, Andrew Nembhard had 18 points and nine assists and Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Dejounte Murray scored 23 for New Orleans. Zion Williamson had 22 and Yves Missi added 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Haliburton missed all of last season after leading Indiana on a run to the 2025 Finals, which the Pacers lost in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder.