Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton has been ruled out of Game 4 against the Boston Celtics on Monday night due to a hamstring strain. Head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed this news to reporters before the game. This marks the second consecutive game that Haliburton has missed after being injured during Game 3 on Saturday. The Celtics were able to overcome an 18-point deficit in his absence and currently lead the Eastern Conference finals 3-0, with the opportunity to clinch a spot in the NBA Finals with a win tonight.
Haliburton’s absence presents a significant challenge for the Pacers, as no team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series. The team will have to try and mount a comeback without their star player available. As a two-time All-Star and All-NBA selection this season, Haliburton plays a crucial role for the Pacers with his scoring, playmaking, and leadership. In his absence, rookie Ben Sheppard and guard Andrew Nembhard have stepped up to fill the void. Nembhard had a standout performance in Game 3 with 32 points and nine assists, but the team struggled in the second half and ultimately lost to the Celtics.
Indiana will need a stronger overall performance in Game 4 to avoid being swept by Boston and keep their playoff hopes alive. Haliburton’s absence will likely be felt on both ends of the court, but the Pacers will look to rally around their depth and play a complete game to extend the series. The team must find ways to compensate for Haliburton’s contributions while also trying to shut down Boston’s impressive offense led by LeBron James and Jayson Tatum. With all eyes on them tonight, Indiana must come up with their best effort if they hope to turn things around and stay alive in this highly anticipated series.
