Sports
Haliburton’s emotional return leads Pacers to season-opening win in New Orleans
Tyrese Haliburton recorded a double-double in his long-awaited return as Indiana opened the 2026-27 season with a 123-120 win over the Pelicans. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 30 points.
The Indiana Pacers opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a 123-120 road win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 21 at the Smoothie King Center, with Tyrese Haliburton back in action and recording a double-double.
Haliburton became tearful after the performance, marking an emotional return for the Pacers guard. The available game details did not specify his individual statistics beyond the double-double.
Pascal Siakam paced Indiana with 30 points. The Pacers earned the win despite being without starting small forward Aaron Nesmith, who had a left hamstring strain, and guard T.J. McConnell, sidelined with a right hamstring strain.
The victory put Indiana at 1-0 to begin the season.