Tyrese Haliburton to miss at least the next three games for the Indiana Pacers, Bennedict Mathurin and Chris Duarte also out
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss the Pacers next three games, at least, with a sprained right ankle.
Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star shared the news earlier today, which was relayed by Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle on Thursday. Haliburton injured the ankle in practice on Wednesday. The All-Star guard had previously missed two games for Indiana with a knee injury, but he overcame that and was able to do some work in the Wednesday practice prior to the ankle ailment.
"Tyrese practiced," Carlisle said during his media availability on Wednesday. That suggests the injury occurred later in the practice session.
The Pacers next three games are in Milwaukee tonight, at home versus Philadelphia on Saturday, and in Charlotte on Monday. The blue and gold will be without their star for at least those three games, if not more.
The Pacers are 31-38 this year, but they are 28-26 when Haliburton plays. The 3-12 record when he sits has played a huge part in Indiana's season, and they will now try to manage without him for a few more outings.
T.J. McConnell will return from his back injury on Thursday night, so Indiana will at least have some point guard depth available in Milwaukee. Expect rookie guard Andrew Nembhard to get some reps at the lead ball handler spot with Haliburton sidelined as well.
On top of McConnell, Myles Turner will also return from a back injury against the Bucks. The Pacers are currently one game back of the final play-in tournament spot in the Eastern Conference.
Getting McConnell and Turner back will help, but the Pacers will be without Bennedict Mathurin and Chris Duarte against the Eastern Conference leading Bucks. Duarte hurt his left ankle on Monday and is experiencing soreness — he missed the fourth quarter of Indiana's battle with Detroit.
Mathurin has a right ankle sprain that he suffered last Thursday against the Houston Rockets. He has not played since.
"[Mathurin] is going to be out for this next game. He may travel, but he's not going to play. He's doing better though," Carlisle said of the rookie guard on Wednesday.
Without Duarte, Mathurin, or Haliburton, more playing time will be available for the likes of Oshae Brissett and George Hill. Jordan Nwora could get more reps at a different position, too, as could Aaron Nesmith. Indiana has options to tweak their rotation.
There are 13 games left in the Pacers season for their injured players to get healthy and return to action.
- Andrew Nembhard got valuable point guard reps with Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell sidelined. CLICK HERE.
- George Hill is finding his place on the Indiana Pacers one month after being traded to the team. CLICK HERE.
- Jordan Nwora returns to Milwaukee while working to become a more well-rounded player for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- James Johnson returns to the Indiana Pacers rotation, gets the game ball from his son. CLICK HERE.
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