Tyrese Haliburton ‘Shocked’ by Season Opener on Pacers Schedule

Tyrese Haliburton expressed shock upon discovering that the Indiana Pacers had scheduled their season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. This was after the Pacers' star player faced a grueling 16-month recovery from a torn right Achilles tendon injury sustained in the 2025 NBA Finals. Fans had eagerly awaited Haliburton's return, as he had been a consistent All-Star and playoff hero in his previous seasons.

Despite the Pacers' disappointing 2024 record, Haliburton remained optimistic about his comeback, averaging impressive statistics in his final healthy season. The NBA's schedule placement of Haliburton's debut game was likely due to the league's focus on other matchups that night. Upon learning of the schedule, Haliburton reflected on the difficult path he had taken to return, recognizing the support of his teammates and acknowledging the challenge of competing in the tougher Eastern Conference.