With the Pacers trailing 0-2 against the Celtics, their All-Star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, is officially questionable for Game 3 on Saturday, the team announced. Haliburton's potential absence could be a huge blow to the Pacers, considering how essential he is to their game.
Haliburton checked himself out of Game 2 with 3:44 left in the third quarter and didn't return. Coach Rick Carlisle later confirmed it was due to a re-aggravation of his left hamstring injury. This injury, which initially occurred against Boston on January 8, had already caused him to miss 10 games and affected his performance even after his return.
At halftime of Game 2, Haliburton was already in trouble. "He was sore," Carlisle said. "He was getting work done throughout halftime. He came out, gave it a shot with all the effort he could muster. I haven't spoken to him directly about it, so I can't read minds, but it wasn't going well. The trainers decided he needed more treatment in the back, and then he was ruled out."
Here's just how crucial Haliburton is to the Pacers: In Game 2, Indiana was +1 during the nearly 28 minutes he was on the court but plummeted to -17 in the remaining 20 minutes he was off.
Even if Haliburton plays in Game 3 but is less than his best, the Pacers' chances against the Celtics are slim. Indiana's fast-paced, free-flowing offense is built around Haliburton's skills, especially his passing and transition play. Although his backup, T.J. McConnell, is one of the best in the league, there's still a significant drop-off when Haliburton isn't at full strength.
The Pacers will likely wait until close to game time on Saturday to announce Haliburton's status.
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