Tyrese Haliburton Thanks Pacers Fans for Coming to New Orleans: 'That Was Special'

The Indiana Pacers beat the New Orleans Pelicans to begin the 2026-27 season 1-0 and Tyrese Haliburton looked like his old self. 

Playing in his first regular-season game since tearing his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton put up 23 points and 12 assists in 34 minutes. 

While doing an on-court interview after the game, Haliburton got emotional because he saw so many Pacers fans in the building. 

"The best part was the end and that moment," Haliburton told Andscape. "It's been an emotional roller coaster. I'm telling you, what made me feel that way was seeing all those Pacers fans here in New Orleans. That was special."  

The Pacers beat the Pelicans by a final score of 123-120. Haliburton shot 8-of-15 from the field, 2-of-6 from beyond the arc and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. 

Along with several Pacers fans in attendance, Haliburton was also supported by family, friends and business associates. His wife, Jade, whom he married this past offseason, was in attendance and hugged her emotional husband after the game. His parents, John and Brenda Haliburton, and two brothers were there, too.

Also in attendance were Haliburton's agent Aaron Mintz, shooting coach Drew Hanlen, marketing representative Kristina Kozica and other friends.

"My people flew out here. I think there was 12 people on the [private] plane," Haliburton said. "My best friend, my brothers. My parents. My wife. My trainer. Mostly everybody. I think it was important for everybody to be there and they wanted to be there for me. It just means a lot."

One of the top floor generals in the NBA, Haliburton had an outstanding 2024-25 campaign for the Pacers. He averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks per game and made the All-NBA Third Team.

The Pacers may have won Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Thunder had Haliburton not gotten hurt. It was a cruel turn of events for Indiana. 

However, that's in the past and the Pacers are ready to shock the world again in 2026-27.

Haliburton signed a five-year, $244 million extension with the Pacers in July 2023. Indiana acquired him from the Sacramento Kings in 2022.  

The Pacers can sign Haliburton to another extension after this season. That will likely happen. 

Indiana faces the Dallas Mavericks next at home. Haliburton will get a loud ovation from the Pacers crowd during the starting lineup introductions. 

The Mavericks got blown out by the Houston Rockets in Game 1. However, Indiana can't take Dallas lightly, as the Mavericks have Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, two of the best players in the NBA.