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Haliburton Returns, But Pacers Fall to Thunder OT

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 11:48 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Haliburton Returns Scoring

Tyrese Haliburton scored 24 points in his Oct. 13, 2026 return against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He tore his right Achilles on June 22, 2025, causing him to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
He shot 9-of-14 from the field, including four three-pointers, with three assists and two blocks in 18 minutes.
Haliburton said the comeback felt normal and was not as emotionally difficult as expected.

Summary

Thunder Edge Pacers

Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Indiana Pacers 114-112 in overtime.
Indiana’s bench committed 18 turnovers in the first half, limiting scoring.
Center Ivica Zubac recorded 13 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in 18 minutes.
Kobe Brown’s late layup tied the game, sending it to overtime after his missed free throw.
The Pacers shot 33.3% (10-30) in the second half, missing key opportunities.

History

Historical Context

The Bulls’ 2012-13 season ended when MVP Derrick Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 of the playoffs, forcing him to miss all 82 regular-season games. His 2013 comeback and Tyrese Haliburton’s 2026 return from an Achilles tear echo a decade-long trend of NBA teams investing heavily in sports-medicine after high-profile guard injuries, a shift highlighted by the Bulls’ 62-20 record in 2010-11.

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Haliburton Returns Scoring

Tyrese Haliburton scored 24 points in his Oct. 13, 2026 return against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He tore his right Achilles on June 22, 2025, causing him to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
He shot 9-of-14 from the field, including four three-pointers, with three assists and two blocks in 18 minutes.
Haliburton said the comeback felt normal and was not as emotionally difficult as expected.

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