Pacers PG Tyrese Haliburton avoids major injury

A dream scenario of starting the 2024 NBA All-Star Game on his home floor remains a possibility for Indianapolis Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was carried off the court by teammates Monday night.

Haliburton, 23, was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring confirmed during an MRI exam and is scheduled to be re-evaluated by team doctors in two weeks, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The Pacers said only that an MRI revealed a hamstring strain but provided no timetable for his return or confirmation of the severity of his injury.

With 3:10 left in the second quarter of Indiana's game with the Boston Celtics on Monday, Haliburton was driving from left of the basket going downhill and reached the painted lane area about 6 feet from the basket. When he attempted to plant his right foot to pivot and anchor for a quick turnaround to shake defender Derrick White, his right shoe never gained traction and Haliburton slid as if on a pair of ice skates into the splits.

He winced in pain and tried to avoid sitting on his left leg before being carried to the locker room. He had seven points and six assists in 13 minutes at the time of his exit.

Head coach Rick Carlisle called the injury scare a "very deflating moment."

Haliburton is averaging 23.6 points and leading the NBA with 12.5 assists per game in 2023-24, a performance recognized in the first voting returns for the All-Star Game last week. Haliburton, who made his All-Star Game debut in 2023, leads Eastern Conference guards in voting for the 2024 game scheduled to be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Feb. 18 in Indianapolis.

In his absence, the Pacers are expected to start T.J. McConnell.

—Field Level Media