NBA
Will Tyrese Haliburton play against the Celtics in Game 4 today? Pacers injury update
The Indiana Pacers have no margin for error in the Eastern Conference Finals but could again be without their star guard.
The Indiana Pacers have it all to do in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics if they are to have any chance of reaching the NBA Finals for only the second time in their history. 3-0 down in the series, their task in Game 4 could be made that bit harder by the potential absence of star man Tyrese Haliburton.
What injury does Tyrese Haliburton have?
The guard has been officially listed as questionable for Monday’s matchup in Indianapolis because of a left hamstring problem, which he sustained in Game 2 against the Celtics and kept him out of Game 3.
The 24-year-old underwent an MRI scan on Saturday that showed the severity of the strain in his hamstring, immediately ruling him out of Game 3 and putting his participation in Monday’s Game 4 in doubt.
In the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Haliburton has averaged 18.7 points, 8.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds across 15 games.
Pacers “turned into Michael Jordan”
To the surprise of some, Indiana put up an excellent fight without Haliburton in their last meeting with Boston on Saturday, with Joe Mazzulla’s team requiring a final-quarter fightback to clinch a third win in a row.
“Some of those guys turned into f**king Michael Jordan or whatever,” Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said the game. “It was like, what is going on? We couldn’t figure it out but in the fourth quarter but we just stayed close enough.”
More Jordan-esque performances from the Pacers may be needed if they are to stay alive in the series, especially if Haliburton isn’t available.
Celtics - Pacers Eastern Conference Finals schedule
2024 Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics - Pacers
Game 1: Pacers 128-133 Celtics (OT) - 21 May
Game 2: Pacers 110-126 Celtics - 23 May
Game 3: Celtics 114-111 Pacers - 25 May (8pm ET)
Game 4: Celtics @ Pacers - 27 May (8pm ET)
*Game 5: Pacers @Celtics - 29 May (8pm ET)
*Game 6: Celtics @Pacers - 31 May (8pm ET)
*Game 7: Pacers @Celtics - 2 June (8pm ET)
* if required
Game 4 will be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with tip-off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday 27 Monday. As mentioned, another win for Boston will see them sweep Indiana and progress to the NBA Finals.
Although Joe Mazzulla’s team comfortably won Game 2, the other two match-ups in the series have been closely contested, with Game 1 settled in overtime and the Celtics coming from behind in the final quarter to emerge victorious in Game 3.