Tyrese Haliburton’s return gave the Pacers exactly the jolt they needed on Opening Night.
After 486 days away from a meaningful basketball game, the Indiana star stepped back into action Wednesday night in New Orleans and helped power a 123-120 win over the Pelicans. Indiana had to grind through a rough second quarter and fight back from a double-digit deficit, but the Pacers found a way to leave with a victory and a 1-0 record.
Haliburton wasted little time making his presence felt. His first shot and first basket arrived a little more than two minutes into the game, and that bucket also put Indiana in front for the first time.
From there, he looked every bit like the engine the Pacers have been missing, finishing with 23 points and 12 assists while coming through with several huge plays in the final minutes. He kept attacking the rim throughout the night, a promising sign for what’s ahead.
“It means a lot to be back out here,” Haliburton said after the game, fighting back tears. “We got a lot to pick up.
Second quarter wasn't good, but we're battle tested. Really proud of this group.”
The Pacers also got a double-double from Ivica Zubac, who finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, plus two blocks and a plus-11 rating. Even with those numbers, his night felt relatively quiet for long stretches, despite the reaction from Pacers fans on social media.
The question now is whether Haliburton and Zubac will be trading double-doubles all season long. That could turn into a tight race.
Indiana did lose the rebounding battle, though. New Orleans finished with a 50-42 edge on the glass, and that margin narrowed only in the closing minute.
The bench brought one big lift. Obi Toppin delivered 20 points, and Quenton Jackson chipped in six points, four rebounds and three steals in 15 minutes.
But the rest of the second unit had a rough night. Jarace Walker committed four turnovers and went 1-for-6 from the field, while Larry Nance Jr. played just five minutes and didn’t look comfortable.
Aaron Nesmith was out with an injury, and Kelly Oubre Jr. is usually part of that second-unit mix.
Road wins on Opening Night never come easy, and Indiana had to earn this one the hard way. The Pacers last won in New Orleans in January of 2021, but this trip ended the way they wanted: with a comeback win and a clean start to the season.
In Other News...
Pelicans Suddenly Have A Real Center Debate On Their Hands
The Pelicans left their matchup with Indiana having something every staff would rather have than a one-sided answer at center: a real conversation. Yves Missi looked much more settled than he did in preseason, bringing energy on the glass, protecting the rim and even flashing a little passing ability while carving out a bigger role in the paint. For a team trying to sort out its rotation, that kind of step forward matters.
Derik Queen also gave New Orleans a different kind of case to weigh, playing with more discipline than he had in earlier games and doing enough across the board to stay in the mix. He kept his shot attempts under control, avoided the kind of loose stretches that can get a young big in trouble, and still impacted the game on both ends. The Pelicans may not have a final answer yet, but they suddenly have two centers making it hard to look away. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Loss Still Revealed Something Fans Needed To See
A season opener that ends in a 123-120 loss can leave a team with a long list of what-ifs, but New Orleans still walked away with something worth keeping. Zion Williamson played with a level of conviction that had to stand out to anyone watching, finishing with 22 points and taking key shots late, while Dejounte Murray led the way with 23 points and a steady two-way impact that gave the Pelicans a real backbone for stretches of the night.
There were also encouraging signs deeper in the rotation, with Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen and Yves Missi all turning in notable minutes against Indiana. The bigger takeaway for New Orleans is less about the final score and more about the way the offense looked with Williamson willing to assert himself when the game tightened, a development fans have been waiting to see carry over into meaningful moments. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Already Face A Derik Queen Decision They Can't Ignore
The season opener gave the Pelicans an early glimpse of what Derik Queen can bring, and why his role is already a talking point. Acquired with a first-round pick, the young big came off the bench against Indiana and produced 10 points and 10 rebounds in his first game, showing the kind of activity that can make him useful right away even as the team continues to sort out its rotation.
Jamahl Mosley also got a look at the rough edges that come with a player still learning the NBA pace. Queens evening included several mistakes, the kind that can quickly tighten a coachs trust in a close game, and New Orleans will have to decide how much room to give him while he works through them. The opportunity is there, but so is the pressure to turn flashes into something the Pelicans can rely on. [Read more 🡒]