How the Pacers can compensate for an injured Tyrese Haliburton in Game 4
By Ryan Stano
The Indiana Pacers have closed the series gap. They are now down 2-1 in the series after surviving in Game 3 at home. It took a massive shot from Andrew Nembhard to do it, but they did it. Tyrese Haliburton also led the Pacers, scoring 35 points and doing it at the rim and beyond the arc.
Unfortunately, Haliburton turned his ankle on a fast-break layup. After that, he was never the same. He had a big limp and wasn't looking for his shot as much. The injury clearly took him out of his game. Despite telling Lisa Salters after the game that his ankle was fine, I seriously doubt it.
That ankle is going to swell up in the next 24 hours. How well they manage that swelling is going to be the key to how well he's able to play on Sunday, if he plays at all. Even if he does play, he's not going to be as effective as he was on Friday night. They are used to him being hurt. The Pacers need to compensate for that.
How the Pacers can compensate for a hurt Tyrese Haliburton
For the Pacers to still win Game 4, they need several things. First off, they need Pascal Siakam to be the aggressor on offense. He had 26 points on 9-14 shooting in Game 3 and it was the first time he's looked aggressive offensively. He has to be the best player on the floor.
Secondly, the bench has to play better. They only combined to score 14 points. In fact, the Knicks' bench outscored them for once. That can't happen with Haliburton having that bum ankle. T.J. McConnell was just 3-10 and Obi Toppin was 1-4. They both have to be better.
Lastly, Myles Turner has to make his threes. If he is able to stretch the floor, he becomes much more dangerous. Not only that, but his shot-making opens up the floor for Siakam to do his midrange work. He becomes the second option on offense if Haliburton is sufficiently hobbled.
It will take a group effort for them to beat the Knicks again on Sunday. Having less than 48 hours to recover is not ideal, but those are the parameters the Pacers have to deal with. It's next man up for them. Hopefully, Haliburton's ankle heals up better than I think it will.