Pacers Star Guard May Miss Next Two Games vs. Celtics

Bobby Krivitsky | May 25, 2024

May 23, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts against the Boston Celtics in the first half during game two of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

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Boston Celtics

The Pacers enter Game 3 against the Celtics fighting to save their season. A loss wouldn't eliminate them, but a 3-0 hole, which no team has dug out of in NBA history, would likely prove too steep to overcome.

Indiana can take comfort in Saturday's matchup being at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the hosts are yet to lose this postseason. However, that will get put to the challenge more than ever with Tyrese Haliburton ruled out for Game 3.

The 2024 All-NBA selection is dealing with left hamstring soreness that forced him to exit Indiana's Game 2 loss in Boston with 3:44 remaining in the third quarter.

It's the same hamstring Haliburton injured in January against the Celtics, causing him to miss ten of the next 11 contests.

Through the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, the two-time All-Star is averaging 17.5 points, nine assists, 3.5 rebounds, and two steals while knocking down 40% of the ten threes he's taking.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Haliburton "will be reassessed ahead of Game 4 on Monday — but his availability for that game also remains in serious question."

Haliburton is generating 18.7 points, 8.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while converting 37.9% of the 9.3 shots he's taking from behind the arc this postseason.

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown Reacts to Not Making an All-NBA Team: 'Embrace It'

Celtics Grab Elusive Game 2 Win vs. Pacers, Now Halfway to NBA Finals

Jrue Holiday Starts Eastern Conference Finals with Best Game as a Celtic

Jaylen Brown's Heroics Propel Celtics to 1-0 Lead in Conference Finals

Aaron Nesmith Left Lasting Impression with Celtics Before Finding a Home with Pacers

Past Hardships Brought Out Best in Al Horford in Career Night: 'You Saw His Gift'

Jayson Tatum Breaks Out of Scoring Slump That Never Defined Him: 'Underappreciated'

Kristaps Porzingis Discusses Target Date to Rejoin Celtics' Playoff Run: 'Doing Everything I Can'

Published May 25, 2024

BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.