The Indiana Pacers were on the brink of securing a crucial Game 1 win on the road against the Boston Celtics, but now they face a tough challenge, returning home with a 2-0 series deficit. Adding to their woes, star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a left hamstring injury in the second half of Game 2 and was unable to return, leaving his status for the rest of the series in doubt.
Haliburton has been the driving force behind the Pacers’ high-powered offense all season. Though his playoff performance hasn’t matched his regular-season dominance, he’s still putting up solid numbers, averaging 18.7 points and 8.2 assists per game in the postseason. His absence would be a significant blow to Indiana’s chances of mounting a comeback against the Celtics, as they would have to face an even steeper climb without their key playmaker.
According to reports from The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Joe Verndon, Haliburton is expected to miss Game 3 due to the re-aggravation of his left hamstring injury. He was initially listed as questionable, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski hinted that Haliburton’s absence might extend further, suggesting that “You may have seen Tyrese Haliburton for the last time in this series.” The Pacers plan to re-evaluate his condition on Monday, but there has been no official update on the severity of the injury.
This isn’t the first time Haliburton has dealt with a hamstring issue this season. He previously missed 10 games in January due to a similar injury, raising concerns that this could be a recurrence. The Pacers have yet to provide specific details about the injury’s severity, but the situation clearly puts Indiana in a difficult position as they head into Game 3.
With Haliburton out, head coach Rick Carlisle faces a critical decision regarding the starting lineup. One option could be to elevate T.J. McConnell, who has been a standout role player in the playoffs, averaging 10.8 points, 5.1 assists, and 0.9 steals in less than 20 minutes per game. McConnell’s energy and playmaking could provide a spark in Haliburton’s absence.
Alternatively, Carlisle might opt to shift Andrew Nembhard to the point guard position and insert Obi Toppin into the starting lineup to play bigger. This move would likely push Aaron Nesmith to shooting guard, giving the Pacers a size advantage with Toppin, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner in the frontcourt.
The Pacers’ ability to adapt without Haliburton will be crucial as they look to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole in the series.