‘A Natural Connection’: Kyrie Irving On Tyrese Haliburton’s Return And Coming Back From Major Injury
INDIANAPOLIS — Kyrie Irving checked in with Tyrese Haliburton during the first quarter Friday night, asking how many days it had been since Haliburton last played in front of the home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Irving scored 24 points in the Dallas Mavericks’ 121-105 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Friday was Haliburton’s first home game since he tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and he received a loud ovation during player introductions, The Associated Press reported. Irving tore his left ACL in March 2025 and returned in Wednesday’s season opener at Houston.
“I was just asking how many days has it been since he played his first game at home in front of the fans, and I think it’s like 400 something, and I was like, man, it’s been 590-some days for me,” Irving said. “So we’re just incredibly grateful, and I think you can get a pulse or get a sense of how much the game means to both of us.”
“Both play on the USA team, both are trying to strive to be the best point guards in the league, and you share that competitive fire. And for the past few years, Indiana has pretty much been kicking our butt in here in this building,” Irving continued. “So let’s not fall short of that. Had some different lineups coming here, but every time we’re in Indiana, it’s gonna be a dogfight, and you know that.”
“And it starts with Tyrese and his ability to get the ball out. Andrew Nembhard being able to play complementary point guard or shooting guard to him, they found success in the Finals not too long ago,” Irving added. “So they’re always knocking at the door and trying to be one of the top teams in the league. So when you come in here in this building, it’s a special moment. You could play well and also get a win.”
Kyrie Irving On The Connection Between Players Coming Back From Injury
Irving played 23:45 in the opener and 24:55 on Friday under a minutes restriction. The people around an injured player, starting with family, take on the day-to-day load during a recovery, he said.
“It’s a natural connection ’cause you’re 0.00% of the world in terms of high-velocity training, high-velocity performance, and instinctual thinking out there. So whenever that gets interrupted abruptly, you fall down with an injury and you’re unsure about how long it’s gonna be,” Irving explained. “The mental fatigue, the mental wear-down is something that we all kinda share the same sentiments. Our family kinda has to work around that dynamic.”
“You’re not showering by yourself anymore, in terms of like, you need help getting in the shower. All your day-to-day stuff has to get taken care of, and those individuals that are around you that are taking that selfless approach to help you, they mean the world to you,” Irving continued. “And then just the support system that you have around you as well and the prayers from fans and supporters worldwide, it goes a long way.”
“And it helps put the game in perspective, right? It’s not gonna be forever, and sometimes you don’t get knocked down, it just depends on how you come back and how you handle it,” Irving added. “And you gotta really trust that you’re not alone going through the journey. There are other people that have dealt with traumatic injuries, so you can always look to them for inspiration and help.”
Tyrese Haliburton’s Home Return And Irving’s Night
Haliburton finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists on 8-of-17 shooting in 32:10, missing all four of his three-point attempts. Two nights earlier, he had 23 points and 12 assists in Indiana’s 123-120 win at New Orleans.
Irving made 8 of 15 shots, including 5 of 10 from three, before fouling out for the first time in his career with 4:23 left. Max Christie called Haliburton the engine of the Pacers at Friday’s shootaround, and Christie’s full comments run in a separate story.
The Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT. Dallas and Indiana meet again Nov. 9 at American Airlines Center.
