Tyrese Haliburton returned from a 16-month layoff with a ruptured right Achilles tendon to deliver 23 points and 12 assists, steering the Indiana Pacers to a 123-120 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night in the opening game of the 2026-27 NBA season. Pascal Siakam added 30 points, 12 of them in the fourth quarter, as Indiana overturned a double-digit deficit.
Trailing 92-86 at the start of the final period, the Pacers took control when Haliburton scored eight of Indiana's 10 points in a 90-second stretch. His burst ignited a 15-3 run that pushed the Pacers ahead 108-104 after New Orleans had led 101-93.
Zion Williamson tied the game at 116 with a driving layup and free throw, but Haliburton answered with baskets on Indiana's next two possessions to restore a 121-118 lead. Quenton Jackson then converted two free throws to close out the three-point win. Haliburton shot 8-for-15 from the field and made all five of his free throws in 34 minutes.
Siakam finished 13-for-23 from the field with eight rebounds, while Obi Toppin added 20 points off the bench. Andrew Nembhard scored 18 and Ivica Zubac contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds. Indiana shot 52 percent overall and registered 29 assists.
Williamson led New Orleans with 22 points, three assists and three steals, making two second-quarter three-pointers after attempting only four from beyond the arc all of last season. Dejounte Murray added 23 points and seven assists, Yves Missi had 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Derik Queen recorded a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench. The Pacers host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, while the Pelicans visit the Utah Jazz.
