Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Out vs. Celtics with Leg Soreness; PG Also Had Chest Injury

Andrew PetersMay 24, 2024

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Tyrese Haliburton came out of Thursday night’s Game 2 matchup against the Boston Celtics and did not return.

The Indiana Pacers’ star point guard was ruled out with leg soreness during the second half, but head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed after the game that the issue was a hamstring injury.

Carlisle added information about the setback but didn’t know much about the player’s status going forward:

Jamal Collier @JamalCollierPacers coach Rick Carlisle said Tyrese Haliburton’s hamstring was sore at halftime, but he came out and played through it in the third quarter.

He said they will monitor Haliburton’s status over the next two days before Game 3

Dave Griffiths @DaveG_SportsRick Carlisle on Tyrese Haliburton’s left hamstring injury:

“We’ll know more tomorrow and even more Saturday”

Illuminating #Pacers

In January, Haliburton was sidelined for 10 games with a left hamstring strain.

He was also reportedly dealing with chest soreness and spent most of the halftime break in the Celtics’ medical exam room and underwent imaging.

Tim Crowley @tcrowley37Carlisle added that Haliburton had tests done after a blow to the chest while competing for a rebound with Jaylen Brown. #Pacers https://t.co/2y9jvz4K3y

After powering through the chest soreness coming out of halftime, he was sidelined with hamstring soreness.

Haliburton had 10 points, eight assists and four rebounds when he exited the game in the eventual 126-110 loss.

His exit came as the Pacers were battling to win a crucial Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana dropped Game 1 in overtime after Jaylen Brown’s game-tying three with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The latest loss drops the team to 0-2 in the series.

Haliburton, a two-time All-Star, had 25 points, 10 assists and three steals in Game 1, but his big night wasn’t enough to power the Pacers past Boston. In the playoffs, he is averaging 19.3 points and 8.2 assists per game.

Though he has been inconsistent at times in the postseason, Haliburton has been pivotal for Indiana. He had back-to-back 30-plus-point performances in the conference semifinals and led the Pacers to a dominant win in Game 7 against the New York Knicks behind his 26 points.

Indiana is now hoping Haliburton’s injury is nothing serious so he can get back on the court for Game 3. His chest soreness will also be something to monitor.

The Pacers are looking for their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000, but getting there will be much more difficult if Haliburton has to miss any more time. For now, Indiana will look to Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and the rest of the committee for increased production.