Tyrese Haliburton injury: Pacers star ruled out for Game 4 vs. Celtics
The Pacers will be without their star point guard with their season on the line against Boston.
UPDATE: Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle officially ruled out Tyrese Haliburton for Game 4 on Monday night.
The Pacers reportedly might be without their star point guard with their season on the line Monday night.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Tyrese Haliburton is “unlikely” to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics due to a lingering hamstring injury.
Haliburton, who missed 10 games earlier this season due to a left hamstring injury, suffered the same ailment in Game 2 against Boston on Thursday night.
He did not play in Game 3 on Saturday, with the Pacers relinquishing an 18-point lead in Boston’s stunning comeback win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“I’m told that it is unlikely that Tyrese Halliburton plays in Game 4,” Wojnarowski said on ESPN Monday evening. “But he has not yet been ruled out. He has wanted to try to figure out a way to play in this series — even with that hamstring soreness/strain. But if the team, especially Rick Carlisle, their front office — they want to err on the side of caution with him.
“They certainly pushed back on it before Game 3. That may well happen again today. Again, not ruled out yet, but trending unlikely. Remember, he had that injury back in January, missed 10 games, and I think especially down 3-0, you’re trying to measure the risk of putting him out there and risking certainly a more serious injury.”
Halburton’s playmaking and ability to push the pace on the court stands as key cogs in Indiana’s well-oiled offensive unit — with his potential absence further hampering the Pacers in what stands as a potential series-clinching contest for Boston.
Even though the Pacers built a double-digit lead at various points in Game 3 without Haliburton on the court, they also benefited from a 32-point outburst from Andrew Nembhard — along with 23 points off the bench from T.J. McConnell.
The Celtics will also be shorthanded once again in Game 4, with Kristaps Porzingis ruled out for the 10th straight game while recovering from a calf injury. Granted, the Celtics have built themselves plenty of wiggle room for Porzingis to rest and recover thanks to their commanding 3-0 series edge over the Pacers.
If the Celtics take care of business against Indiana on Monday night and punch their ticket to the NBA Finals, Boston will have over a week’s worth of rest before Game 1 of the Finals — set for June 6 at TD Garden.
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