'It Means A Lot,' Emotional Tyrese Haliburton Talks Pacers Return From Achilles Injury in Video

After more than a year away, Tyrese Haliburton made his long-awaited return to the court on Tuesday.

The star point guard, who missed all of the 2025-26 season after suffering a torn Achilles in the NBA Finals in 2025, returned to the hardwood in the Indiana Pacers' season-opening win against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Discussing his return after the game, he was understandably emotional.

"It means a lot to be back out here," Haliburton said.

Haliburton spent the last 16 months rehabbing in preparation for his return, and he said he was just "thankful" to get to play again.

And he put together a solid night in his return, posting 23 points and 12 assists as the Pacers escaped with a 123-120 win.

Pacers-Pelicans Highlights

01:31

When Haliburton suffered his devastating injury, the Pacers were going up against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Finals and were on the brink of winning it all.

Now, he's tasked with getting Indiana back to the top of the basketball world, and he's surely more motivated than ever to win his first championship.