Key Pacers injury could change the fabric of the Eastern Conference Finals
By Ryan Stano
![May 23, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) dribbles the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the first half during game two of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports May 23, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) dribbles the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the first half during game two of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5810,h_3268,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/105/01hym7fx2snfn1g53wpt.jpg)
The Indiana Pacers are going home down 2-0. That's something they had to deal with last series against the Knicks, and they were able to fight back to win the series in seven. They were able to do that because they had the services of their All-NBA point guard.
Tyrese Haliburton is their best player and he runs the show on offense. He is the straw that stirs the Pacers' offensive drink. Everything he does makes the Celtics adjust. The problem is that Game 2 was a disaster from a turnover standpoint and an injury standpoint.
Indiana had 16 turnovers in the game, which is a problem. For a team that prides itself on taking care of the ball, they did not do that at all in Game 2. The worst news of the night was when Tyrese Haliburton left the game with left leg soreness, which is connected to the hamstring injury he suffered earlier this year.
Tyrese Haliburton's status unclear for the rest of the Eastern Conference Finals
We know how much this hamstring injury has hampered Haliburton all year long. It finally looked like he had fully recovered from that injury in these playoffs. Instead, he left midway through the third quarter. He didn't come back because of left hamstring soreness.
If Haliburton can't go in Game 3, the Pacers are in massive trouble. If he misses the game, I don't think Indiana has a chance to win the game or come back in the series. Perhaps that's why they sat him out at the end of this game. They knew that there was no chance to come back, so he needed to get as ready as he can for Game 3.
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A hamstring injury is very tricky to deal with. Hopefully, the training staff in Indiana can work some magic to get him ready to go. Otherwise, the Pacers' season is over.