The Pacers have ruled out Tyrese Haliburton for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals after he sustained a left hamstring injury during Game 2 against the Boston Celtics. There are concerns that Haliburton may not return for the remainder of the series, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the team is prioritizing caution when it comes to his injury.
Haliburton has a history of hamstring injuries, having suffered a similar injury back in January against the Celtics. The Pacers are taking a conservative approach with his recovery, as they are wary of putting him in a similar situation and risking further injury. This decision is influenced by a previous experience with player OG Anunoby, who rushed his return from injury and had limited effectiveness in Game 7 against the Pacers.
The Pacers are down 2-0 in the series and are expected to take a cautious approach with Haliburton’s recovery. There is skepticism about his return for Game 4 and potentially for the rest of the series, despite Haliburton’s desire to help his team overcome the deficit against Boston. Keeping in mind his participation in the US Olympic team this summer, the Pacers are likely to assess his condition carefully before Game 4.
Haliburton has been a key player for the Pacers in the playoffs, averaging 18.7 points, 8.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals through 15 games. His absence is a significant loss for the team, and his long-term health and performance will be crucial to their success in this series.
