Tyrese Haliburton doubtful for Game 3 against Boston Celtics due to injury

For Saturday's crucial Game 3 against the Boston Celtics, the Indiana Pacers declared star point guard Tyrese Haliburton doubtful due to left hamstring tightness. After leaving the Pacers' Game 2 defeat 126-110 in the third quarter, Haliburton was declared out for the remainder of the game. Indiana is now trailing Boston 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals, and a loss in Game 3 at home would require an extraordinary turnaround.

The play in which he pulled out did not appear to be particularly harsh, but he had been experiencing pain or discomfort earlier in the game. After the game, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle informed reporters that Haliburton's hamstring was painful at halftime, but he tried to play through it. Haliburton finished with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, eight assists, and zero turnovers in 28 minutes, after a 25-point, 10-assist performance in the Pacers' Game 1 heartbreaker. 

Boston, which has won five consecutive postseason games and is 4-0 on the road, will be missing center Kristaps Porzingis. The former All-Star hasn't played since April 29 due to a strained right calf. A hamstring issue is especially troubling for Haliburton, who missed ten games in January owing to the same hamstring ailment. 

Boston Celtics need two win for thier second final

Porzingis, who has been out since sustaining a calf injury in Game 4 against the Miami Heat on April 30, might return to the Eastern Conference playoffs as soon as Monday, according to reports. Boston Celtics will not rush Porzingis back and prefer to be cautious with his recuperation, but sources suggest he is getting closer to returning.

Luke Kornet, Boston's backup center, may also be unavailable. He is labeled as uncertain after spraining his left wrist on Thursday night. Boston Celtics will need two more victories to go to their second NBA Finals in three years, with the next two games taking place in Indianapolis, where the Pacers are 6-0 this playoff.