Tyrese Haliburton ruled out of Game 2 against Boston Celtics with leg soreness

Tyrese Haliburton will miss the rest of Thursday night's Game 2 against Boston Celtics. Indiana Pacers' standout point guard is experiencing left leg pain, the team said during the second half. According to reports, Haliburton left due to hamstring tightness. Haliburton missed 10 games in January due to a left hamstring issue.

Tyrese Haliburton was also allegedly experiencing chest pain and spent the whole of the halftime break in Boston Celtics' medical exam room, where he underwent test. After overcoming chest pain at halftime, he was hampered by hamstring tightness. Haliburton had 10 points, eight assists, and four rebounds before he left the game. Indiana lost Game 1 in overtime following Jaylen Brown's game-tying three with seconds left in the fourth quarter. 

REPORT: Tyrese Haliburton will NOT return to tonight’s game with left leg soreness, per @Pacers. pic.twitter.com/MQb0C3bzBH

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 24, 2024

Haliburton, a two-time All-Star, made 25 points, 10 assists, and three steals in the first game of the series, but his performance was insufficient to propel the Pacers over Boston. During the playoffs, he averages 19.3 points and 8.2 assists per game. 

Though he has been unstable in the postseason, Haliburton has been crucial for Indiana. He produced back-to-back 30+ point efforts in the conference semifinals and scored 26 points to lead the Pacers to a crucial victory against New York Knicks in Game 7. 

Indiana Pacers are aiming for their first NBA Finals spot

Indiana Pacers is now hopeful Haliburton's calf pain is not significant and he can return to the field for Game 3. Moving ahead, we'll keep an eye on his chest pain. Haliburton shot 4 for 8 from the field, scoring 10 points in 28 minutes. He played only eight minutes in the third quarter and scored two points. Before heading to the bench. 

Indiana Pacers are aiming for their first NBA Finals berth since 2000, but it will be much more difficult if Haliburton misses any more time. For the time being, Indiana will rely on Pascal Siakam, Miles Turner, and the rest of the committee to enhance productivity. Meanwhile, Boston Celtics won Game 2 by 126-110 and gained a 2-0 lead in the series.