Pacers Defeat Pelicans in Season Opener Behind Haliburton's Return

The Indiana Pacers opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a thrilling 123-120 comeback victory against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night. Playing in his first game back after missing all of last season with a torn right Achilles tendon suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, guard Tyrese Haliburton powered the squad with a stellar performance.

Pascal Siakam led the Pacers offensively, scoring a game-high 30 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Ivica Zubac also contributed heavily down low with 16 points, 25 rebounds, and two blocks. Despite missing starting small forward Aaron Nesmith and reserve guard T.J. McConnell due to left and right hamstring strains respectively, Indiana managed to overcome early roster challenges to start the year 1-0.

The contest remained a tightly contested affair for the first three quarters, with the Pelicans holding a six-point advantage heading into the final period. New Orleans maintained control for much of the evening, but Indiana mounted a decisive surge in the fourth quarter, outscoring the hosts 37-28. The Pacers shot 67 percent from the field in the final frame to overturn a deficit that had reached nine points early in the quarter.

Haliburton finished the night with 23 points and 12 assists, providing the critical playmaking needed to spark the comeback. During a high-intensity fourth quarter, Haliburton scored eight points during a blistering 90-second stretch to seize control for Indiana. Overcome with emotion after the final buzzer, Haliburton reflected on his recovery in a postgame interview on DAZN, stating, "It means a lot to be back out there."

The fourth quarter also featured a tense moment when Haliburton and Pelicans rookie Derik Queen engaged in a verbal altercation as they walked toward their respective benches. The two players had to be separated before the situation escalated further, resulting in a technical foul called against Haliburton. Queen finished the game with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals in 18 minutes off the bench.

For the Pelicans, Dejounte Murray led the charge with 23 points, seven assists, three rebounds, two steals, and three blocks, while Zion Williamson added 22 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Despite their strong efforts, New Orleans struggled to slow down Indiana's offense in the closing minutes as the visitors secured the narrow road victory.

The absence of Nesmith and McConnell forced adjustments to the Pacers' rotation. Kelly Oubre Jr., signed in the offseason to serve as the team's sixth man, stepped into the starting lineup and scored four points. Meanwhile, Andrew Nembhard took on backup point guard duties behind Haliburton while starting at shooting guard, contributing nine assists in a heavily altered second-unit configuration.

Looking ahead, both teams will return to the court on Friday. The Pacers are scheduled to face the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Pelicans will take on the Utah Jazz.