Tyrese Haliburton makes his emotional NBA comeback

The wait is over: Tyrese Haliburton makes his emotional NBA comeback

Date: October 7, 2026

After 472 days away from the court, Tyrese Haliburton finally made his long-awaited return as the Indiana Pacers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-112 in a preseason matchup at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.

The two-time NBA All-Star had been sidelined since June 2025, when he suffered a devastating Achilles tendon injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury forced him to miss the entire 2025/26 season, leaving Indiana without its star point guard.

His comeback could hardly have taken place in a more meaningful setting. Returning to Iowa State, where he played college basketball before entering the NBA, Haliburton received an emotional standing ovation from the crowd.

Wearing his familiar No. 0 jersey, the 26-year-old recorded seven points, six assists and two blocks in just 16 minutes, offering an encouraging glimpse of the creativity and court vision that made him one of the league's most exciting playmakers.

Beyond the statistics, the evening represented a significant personal milestone after more than a year of rehabilitation, uncertainty and determination.

For the Pacers, Haliburton's return marks the beginning of a new chapter as the franchise looks to rediscover the form that carried it to the 2025 NBA Finals.

After one of the toughest challenges of his career, Indiana's floor general is finally back where he belongs.