Tyrese Haliburton was surprised that the Indiana Pacers were scheduled to open the 2026-27 season on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans in his first game since tearing his Achilles.
“Name any other person that you compare to my level of a basketball player, wherever you have me ranked, if they tore their Achilles and missed 16 months, do you think that [first game back] would be on national TV?” Haliburton said during an appearance on the Numbers on the Board podcast (h/t ESPN). “Do you think that game would be at home if not on national television? Do you think that game would be at New Orleans?
“When I saw the schedule I was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ I was shocked to see that. But we move on.”
Haliburton was sidelined for Indiana’s entire 2025-26 campaign after suffering a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, but he’s set to return for the beginning of next season.
The Pacers struggled in his absence, as they’re coming off a 19-63 finish.
It’s understandable that Haliburton preferred to play his first game since the injury in front of his home fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during a nationally-televised contest.
Instead, the Pacers will face a Pelicans squad that posted a 26-56 record last season. New Orleans also ranked No. 26 among all teams in average home attendance.
Indiana’s first game on national television will take place against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 28.
The Pacers are looking to contend in the Eastern Conference once again with Haliburton back in the mix. He put together a stellar 2024-25 season prior to the injury, averaging 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game on 47.3/38.8/85.1 shooting splits.
