INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Pacers have opened the 2026–27 NBA season with a victory, but the biggest storyline goes beyond the final score.
Indiana defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123–120 on October 21, marking the regular-season return of star guard Tyrese Haliburton following the Achilles injury he suffered during the 2025 NBA Finals.
Haliburton finished with 23 points and 12 assists, immediately reminding opponents of his importance to Indiana’s offensive system.
Pascal Siakam added 30 points as the Pacers overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to secure their opening victory.
More Than One Victory
For Indiana, Haliburton’s return represents an important step in the franchise’s efforts to reestablish its identity.
His ability to distribute the basketball, control the tempo and create scoring opportunities gives the Pacers an offensive dimension that is difficult to replace.
The 12 assists against New Orleans were particularly encouraging. They demonstrated that Haliburton’s value remains closely connected to his ability to involve teammates rather than simply produce points.
Siakam’s 30-point performance also reinforced the importance of Indiana’s supporting offensive weapons.
The Challenge Ahead
One opening-night victory cannot establish how the Pacers will perform across an entire NBA season.
Indiana must continue developing consistency, particularly in close games when execution becomes increasingly important.
The next opportunity comes October 23, when the Pacers return to Indianapolis for their home opener against the Dallas Mavericks.
For a franchise entering another season with substantial expectations, the return of its floor general provides a promising starting point.
The challenge now is turning that encouraging beginning into sustained success.
