NEW ORLEANS, United States, October 21, 2026: Tyrese Haliburton’s return was supposed to be the emotional center of Indiana’s season opener. By the fourth quarter, it became something more practical: the Pacers needed him to win the game.
Haliburton scored 23 points and handed out 12 assists in his first regular-season appearance since rupturing his Achilles, while Pascal Siakam scored 30 points as Indiana rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120.
Pacers vs Pelicans: Final score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 38 | 18 | 30 | 37 | 123 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 31 | 35 | 26 | 28 | 120 |
Indiana had to win the game twice
The Pacers started sharply, scoring 38 points in the first quarter, then lost control in the second as New Orleans outscored them 35-18 and took a 66-56 halftime lead. The Pelicans still led 92-86 entering the fourth.
Indiana’s response came through its two most experienced creators. Haliburton scored eight points in a 90-second burst as the Pacers erased a 101-93 deficit, while Siakam scored 12 of his 30 points in the final quarter.
The comeback was not clean. Haliburton was assessed a technical foul, New Orleans tied the game at 116 through Zion Williamson, and the Pelicans still had chances late. But Indiana executed better in the final possessions.
Haliburton’s return immediately changes Indiana’s offense
A 23-point, 12-assist night after a long Achilles recovery would have been meaningful regardless of the result. The fact that Haliburton also made decisive fourth-quarter plays made the return more important.
Indiana shot 52.2% from the floor and finished with 29 assists. Haliburton’s ability to accelerate the offense and create easy looks remains central to how the Pacers want to play.
Siakam supplied the scoring weight
Siakam’s 30 points led Indiana. Obi Toppin added 20, Andrew Nembhard scored 18 with nine assists, and Ivica Zubac contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds.
That balance mattered because New Orleans won the rebounding battle 49-43 and reached the free-throw line 37 times. Indiana had to overcome those advantages with superior shooting efficiency and late-game execution.
New Orleans had enough offense but not enough closure
Dejounte Murray led the Pelicans with 23 points, while Williamson scored 22. Yves Missi added 14 rebounds. Williamson even hit back-to-back three-pointers late in the second quarter, a notable development after rarely shooting from deep last season.
Continue the NBA Story
The Pelicans built a double-digit halftime lead and were still ahead entering the fourth, but they allowed Indiana to score 37 points in the final period. That is the part of the result that will hurt most.
Key performers
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | Pacers | 30 points |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Pacers | 23 points, 12 assists |
| Obi Toppin | Pacers | 20 points |
| Ivica Zubac | Pacers | 16 points, 15 rebounds |
| Dejounte Murray | Pelicans | 23 points |
| Zion Williamson | Pelicans | 22 points |
Indiana’s opener reinforces several themes from TSE’s 2026-27 offseason analysis: health, continuity and late-game shot creation will separate contenders from teams still finding their identity. Follow the NBA section, NBA Hub and season schedule guide for continuing coverage.
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