Indiana Pacers Star Tyrese Haliburton Exits Game 2 of Eastern Conference Finals Against Boston Celtics Due to Injuries
Tyrese Haliburton, an All-NBA player for the Indiana Pacers, left Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics due to injuries to his left hamstring and chest. The Pacers trail 2-0 in the series.
Haliburton played for eight minutes in the second half before leaving the game. He finished with ten points but had only two points after halftime. The Pacers announced during the fourth quarter that Haliburton would not return.
The injury occurred during a collision with Boston's Jaylen Brown in the second quarter. Haliburton was subbed out of the game with 3:44 remaining in the third quarter and went back to the locker room. The Pacers announced that he had been ruled out for the rest of the game.
Haliburton missed ten games earlier this season with a left hamstring strain suffered against the Celtics. He slipped and fell during that game and had to be helped off the court.
The Pacers are now facing a difficult test if Haliburton is forced to miss Game 3 against the Celtics. Coach Rick Carlisle said they would know more about his status on Friday.
Haliburton's injury came at a crucial time for the Pacers, who were looking to bounce back from their loss in Game 1. The team struggled with turnovers and was outscored by the Celtics in both games.
The Pacers will need to regroup and find a way to move forward without their star player. Team leader T.J. McConnell urged his teammates to step up and take on bigger roles in Haliburton's absence.
Indiana's other starters, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, and Andrew Nembhard, combined to go 12 of 26 from the field. Pascal Siakam picked up the scoring load as best he could after Haliburton exited, going 13 of 17 from the field and finishing with 28 points before being pulled early in the fourth quarter.
The Pacers will look to regroup and bounce back in Game 3 when the series shifts to Indiana on Saturday night.
