When it rains, it pours for the Indiana Pacers.
Not only did they lose Game 2, but they could also have lost their best player for the remainder of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Star PG Tyrese Haliburton left the game in the fourth quarter and wasn’t able to return, and his availability for the remainder of the series is now in serious peril.
Haliburton suffered a hamstring injury, and the fact that it was the same hamstring he hurt earlier in the season is all the more concerning.
According to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (via Evan Sidery), he’s going to do everything he can to suit up and play in Game 3, but his status will most likely be known right before tip-off.
There is “real concern” from the Pacers about Tyrese Haliburton’s availability and potential impact the remainder of the Eastern Conference Finals, per @wojespn.
Haliburton will do everything he can to play against the Celtics, but it’s a very likely scenario he will be nowhere… pic.twitter.com/JnitmFqFWi
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 25, 2024
Also, even if he plays, chances are that he’s going to be quite limited.
The Pacers must be very smart and cautious about this injury.
Soft-tissue injuries tend to linger and could lead to chronic issues, so they can’t risk putting their franchise player at risk.
The Pacers are down 0-2 in the series, and they were always a long shot to get out of the Eastern Conference anyway, especially when matched up against the Boston Celtics and their juggernaut of a team.
They might be better off playing the long game and having Haliburton sit out, as you don’t want to jeopardize such a promising career on a lost cause.
NEXT:
Insider Reveals Latest Injury Update On Tyrese Haliburton