Tyrese Haliburton don return afta 16 months weda wit ruptured right Achilles tendon, e drop 23 points and 12 assists, e lead Indiana Pacers take 123-120 victory over New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night for di opening game of 2026-27 NBA season. Pascal Siakam add 30 points, 12 of dem inside di fourth quarter, as Indiana overturn double-digit deficit.
Wen dem dey down 92-86 for start of final period, Pacers take control when Haliburton score eight of Indiana 10 points inside 90 seconds. Im burst spark 15-3 run wey push Pacers ahead 108-104 afta New Orleans don lead 101-93.
Zion Williamson tie di game at 116 wit driving layup and free throw, but Haliburton answer wit baskets for Indiana next two possessions to restore 121-118 lead. Quenton Jackson then convert two free throws to close out di three-point win. Haliburton shoot 8-for-15 from di field and make all five of im free throws inside 34 minutes.
Siakam finish 13-for-23 from di field wit eight rebounds, while Obi Toppin add 20 points from di bench. Andrew Nembhard score 18 and Ivica Zubac contribute 16 points and 15 rebounds. Indiana shoot 52 percent overall and record 29 assists.
Williamson lead New Orleans wit 22 points, three assists and three steals, e make two second-quarter three-pointers afta e only attempt four from beyond di arc all of last season. Dejounte Murray add 23 points and seven assists, Yves Missi get 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Derik Queen record 10-point, 10-rebound double-double from di bench. Pacers go host Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, while Pelicans go visit Utah Jazz.
