Celtics
Haliburton left Game 2 early and did not return.
Tyrese Haliburton drives while Derrick White defends. Winslow Townson/Getty Images
Tyrese Haliburton is expected to miss Saturday’s Game 3 between the Celtics and Pacers, according to Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Haliburton, a star guard who led the NBA in assists this season, re-injured his left hamstring in the third quarter of Game 2. He left the game and did not return, as Boston took a 2-0 series lead.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first said he was “unlikely to play,” then said he had been ruled out.
“We looked at the game plan in both scenarios, if he’s going to play and if he’s not going to play,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum told reporters. “We played games without him and with him, so we worked on some things today and are ready for any scenario.”
Wojnarowski said Haliburton’s availability for Game 4 “remains in serious question,” noting the Pacers will “err on the side of caution.”
Sean Grande, the radio voice of the Celtics, noted that the Pacers are minus-17 with Haliburton against Boston this year and minus-65 without him.
The Celtics took advantage of Jimmy Butler missing the opening series and Donovan Mitchell sitting out part of the final series.
They’ve had some injuries of their own, as Kristaps Porzingis remains sidelined with a soleus strain. He traveled with the team, is out for Game 3 and is questionable for Game 4.
Jrue Holiday is questionable for Game 3, starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, with a non-COVID illness.
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