Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a hamstring injury during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics. The injury has raised concerns for the Pacers, given Haliburton’s history with hamstring issues.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shed light on the severity of the injury, according to a tweet by ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints):
“You may have seen Tyrese Haliburton for the last time in this series” – Adrian Wojnarowski gives an update on Tyrese Haliburton’s hamstring injury
"You may have seen Tyrese Haliburton for the last time in this series"
Adrian Wojnarowski gives an update on Tyrese Haliburton's hamstring injury 👀
(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/pqeYbizxZ8
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 26, 2024
Wojnarowski’s statement casts a shadow over the Pacers’ chances in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Injury
Haliburton exited Game 2 with just under three minutes left in the third quarter and limped to the locker room. The Pacers subsequently ruled him out for the rest of the game due to left hamstring soreness. The injury occurred while defending Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, as Haliburton took an awkward step and grimaced as he stumbled sideways.This setback is particularly worrisome because Tyrese Haliburton missed 10 games during the regular season with a left hamstring strain, the same one that he hurt during Game 2.
Impact on the Pacers
Despite the statistical decline following his return from the earlier hamstring injury, Haliburton remained a crucial player for the Pacers. He led the league in assists per game and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. His absence in Game 3 will significantly impact Indiana’s offense, as he has been a bellwether for their success. In wins, Tyrese Haliburton averaged 21 points, while in losses, he averaged 16 points.
Replacement Options
With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined, the Pacers will likely split point guard duties between starting shooting guard Andrew Nembhard and backup TJ McConnell. Nembhard has been a positive contributor during the playoffs, with a plus-23 rating, while McConnell has been less effective with a minus-five rating. The team will need both players to step up in Haliburton’s absence.
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