We all felt something break when Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles gave out in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals. The moment, his grimaces of pain, the feeling that fate could not have been more unfair to him… None of it will be forgotten. But time has passed, and we will also remember how the tears of suffering he shed on 22 June have now turned into tears of joy following his return to the court.
Although he had already played in pre-season, it was last night that the Indiana Pacers guard made his official comeback. He knew it would be a special day, but he had no idea just how emotional it would be. In fact, he had expected those feelings to surface during his first home game. He was wrong. After finishing with 23 points and 12 assists in the win at the Smoothie King Center, he could no longer hold back his emotions.
“The best part was the end, that moment. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster. Honestly, what made me feel like this was seeing all those Pacers fans here in New Orleans. It was something special”, he said through tears.
Haliburton ended the night by admitting he was exhausted, but that did not stop him from making a difference, as he scored 16 of his 23 points in the final quarter. He has picked up exactly where he left off, proving decisive in making the Pacers a winning side.
“It felt good. It felt really good. I think pre-season prepared me for this: not forcing things and letting the game come to me. I’m trying to play the right way”, he states.
Pascal Siakam pays tribute to Tyrese Haliburton
The Indiana Pacers’ other star, Pascal Siakam, who finished with 30 points, praised Haliburton’s impressive physical condition following his lengthy absence.
“He looked very good. I told him it would take some time to get back to his best physical form. His condition is impressive, considering the pace of play we keep. But, it being his first game back, I’m really glad to see him on the court again. I know how hard last season was for him”, he stresses.