What happened: Back in the starting lineup after 486 days away from game action, Tyrese Haliburton connected on 8 of 15 field goals and all five of his free-throw attempts. He poured in 13 fourth-quarter points to close out the double-double.

Why it matters: The seventh-year guard stepped directly into primary playmaking duties while wearing No. 0 in his return to the rotation. Generating double-digit assists alongside late-game scoring efficiency stabilized the half-court offense down the stretch.

What to watch: Haliburton continues his regular-season workload as the 2026-27 schedule progresses.