Something inside all of us snapped when Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ Achilles, finally said enough in the seventh game of the 2025 Finals. The moment, his pained gestures, the sense that fate could not be any harsher toward him… That moment won’t be forgotten, but time has passed, and what we will also remember is how those tears of suffering from that June 22 have given way to tears of joy now that he’s back on the court.
Although he had already appeared in the preseason, last night marked the official return of the Indiana Pacers’ guard. He knew it would be a special day, but he couldn’t foresee to what extent; so much so that he thought it would be in the first home game when he would be overwhelmed. Wrong. After playing at the Smoothie King Center, and finishing with 23 points and 12 assists to secure the win, he could not hold back any longer.
«The best part was the ending, that moment. It has been an emotional roller coaster. Honestly, what made me feel this way was seeing all those Pacers fans here in New Orleans. It was something special», he says, his eyes full of tears.
Haliburton closed the night admitting he was exhausted, but that did not stop him from making a difference by scoring 16 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. He returned to where he left off, proving decisive in turning the Pacers into a winning team.
«It felt good. It felt really good. I think the preseason prepared me for this: not forcing things and letting the game flow toward me. I try to play the right way», he states.
Pascal Siakam Pays Tribute to Tyrese Haliburton
The other big star for the Pacers, Pascal Siakam, who would finish with 30 points, highlighted the remarkable physical condition Haliburton has reached in a short period of time.
«He looked very good. I told him it would take some time to regain his best physical form. His conditioning is impressive, considering the pace we play at. But for his first game back, I’m really glad to see him back on the floor. I know how tough last season was for him», he notes.
