Emotional Tyrese Haliburton breaks down in tears during live TV interview on NBA return

Tyrese Haliburton scored 23 points and helped the Indiana Pacers fight for a season-opening victory on the road. Then one of the best basketball players in the world — finally healed after rupturing his Achilles tendon 16 months ago — broke down during a live TV interview. “It a … it … it means a lot to be back out here,” said Haliburton, who wiped his eyes with a towel and had to pause before finishing his answer. With the scoreboard reading 123 Pacers, 120 New Orleans Pelicans , Haliburton was asked about the return of classic Indiana basketball. “It’s coming along well,” said Haliburton, who carried the small-market Pacers to the NBA Finals during the 2024-25 season, then suffered a surreal injury early in Game 7. “We’re battle tested, so we finished this game the right way.” The two-time All-NBA selection added shot 8-of-15 from the field, sank all five of his free throws, dished out a game-high 12 assists and added a steal. Indiana outscored the Pelicans 37-28 in the fourth quarter to hand Haliburton an emotional return to the hardwood. He missed the entire 2025-26 campaign, and has been forced to watch the Thunder and New York Knicks win the last two NBA Finals while healing from his injury. “WE LOVE YOU TYRESE, WELCOME BACK!” one fan tweeted. “He was going to go crazy in (Game 7),” a second fan posted. “He probably thought it was over. He worked his a** off to get back here. Let it out Hali!” “I feel like so much of ‘sports media’ is obsessed with pushing narratives and playing on (people’s) emotions,” a third fan wrote. “But it all happens at the expense of the authentic emotional appeal of pro sports. Hali represents an honest purity in this game, a game that so many of us love.” View Tweet: https://t.co/w0py2seq2C Indiana faces a loaded Eastern Conference this season, topped by LeBron James on the super-team Philadelphia 76ers , Jalen Brunson’s reigning champion Knicks and Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘s Miami Heat . But Haliburton has long been an avid self-believer and it was clear that his long-delayed return meant even more with the opening-night win. “I’m just really proud of this group,” Haliburton said. He added through another round of tears: “I’m just really thankful to be back out here.” Haliburton was the No. 12 overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings . But he’s made his name in Indiana is devoted to guiding the Pacers back to the Finals. “It’s amazing to see Tyrese play so well tonight, he truly overcame a lot,” a fan posted. “We love you Ty!” NBA's Greatest Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone 10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals Sign up for talkSPORT Stateside , the YouTube channel dedicated to passionate US Sports fans. Will Gavin, Brian T. Smith, former NFL star Efe Obada and a collection of special guests debate the biggest talking points across the NFL, soccer, NBA and more.