Some bad news for Pacers fans, and likely the nail in the coffin for the series. Tyrese Haliburton is out for Game 3.
After leaving in the third quarter of Game 2 due to re-injuring his left hamstring, there was real fear that Tyrese Haliburton could not return in time for Game 3. Hopes were not made any higher when Haliburton was seen walking to the team bus with a noticeable limp. The following day, Haliburton was listed as questionable on Indiana's injury report, getting hopes up for a potential Game 3 return to avoid an 0-3 deficit.
In the early morning of Saturday, it was revealed that the Pacers were concerned about Haliburton's health and impact for the rest of the series and that Haliburton would most likely be not close to 100% if he were to play.
There is “real concern” from the Pacers about Tyrese Haliburton’s availability and potential impact the remainder of the Eastern Conference Finals, per @wojespn.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 25, 2024
Haliburton will do everything he can to play against the Celtics, but it’s a very likely scenario he will be nowhere… pic.twitter.com/JnitmFqFWi
This essentially set up Pacers fans for the inevitable, and at 2:30 PM, they got it. Shams Charania reported that Tyrese Haliburton will miss Game 3 due to re-injuring his left hamstring, possibly ending his season.
Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton is expected to miss Game 3 tonight vs. Boston due to a re-injured left hamstring, sources tell me and @joevardon. pic.twitter.com/sT4ibVl4zA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 25, 2024
While it is unfortunate that Haliburton cannot be on the floor for Indiana's most important playoff game yet, it is probably for the best. If the injury was bad enough that Haliburton was limping on his way to the bus, there was little chance he would have been himself on the floor.
Sitting out for Game 3 may hurt the Pacers' chances to win and extend the series, but is the best decision to protect Haliburton's health. Haliburton's slump after returning from his hamstring injury in January is still fresh in people's minds, and the Pacers would probably be better off without him on the floor if he cannot give 100% or even 80%.
With Haliburton confirmed out, the Pacers may very well be headed to their doom in Game 3. While they are undefeated at home, they are undoubtedly a worse team without Haliburton on the floor, and the Celtics are no pushover, as they demonstrated in the first two games.
Perhaps the Indiana crowd can motivate Pascal Siakam and company to a rousing home win, possibly opening the door to a potential Haliburton return in Game 4 to tie up the series. However, if the last two games are anything to go by, this series may very well end in Game 3.