Mavericks defeat Pacers in Haliburton’s return game

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Indiana Pacers 121-105 on October 23, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The victory marked the first win for Mavericks head coach Dusty May. The game served as the Indiana Pacers' home opener and the first regular-season appearance in over a year for Tyrese Haliburton.

Kyrie Irving, returning to the court after missing 19 months with a torn ACL in his left knee, scored 24 points for Dallas. Irving had previously played in a game against the Houston Rockets, where he finished with 15 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 24 minutes. Head coach Dusty May confirmed that Irving remained on a minutes restriction for the matchup against the Pacers to manage his workload following his lengthy absence.

The game featured a heated scuffle that resulted in an injury for Mavericks star Cooper Flagg. Flagg exited the game after Aaron Nesmith committed a flagrant foul, causing Flagg to crash to the floor. The incident sparked a shoving match between players from both teams. Flagg left the game with a shoulder injury and did not return. The Mavericks overcame the loss of Flagg to secure the victory.

The Indiana Pacers, the 2025 Eastern Conference champions, struggled to match the energy of the crowd during Haliburton's return. The team trailed by double digits at halftime, having been outscored by 34 points in the first half. Tyrese Haliburton and head coach Rick Carlisle expressed disappointment with the team's poor starts in recent games. The Mavericks' win concluded the Pacers' home opener with a loss.