The Pacers are on the verge of elimination entering Game 4 against the Celtics, and all eyes are on whether Indiana's star player will be available for the contest.
Tyrese Haliburton suffered a hamstring injury late in Game 2 of Indiana's series against Boston. He was unable to play the fourth quarter in Indiana's 126-110 loss and also missed the entirety of the team's 114-111 Game 3 defeat.
The Pacers have put forth an admirable effort without Haliburton, but they certainly would love to get him back as they look to avoid elimination. Haliburton has averaged 18.7 points, 8.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game during the postseason. His high-end passing ability and 37.9 percent 3-point shooting (on a team-high 9.3 attempts per game) have been critical to Indiana's offensive success.
But will Haliburton be healthy enough to play in Game 4? Here's what to know about his status as the Pacers look to avoid being swept at home in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals.
MORE: How many NBA teams have come back from 3-0 series deficits in the playoffs?
Is Tyrese Haliburton playing tonight?
Haliburton has been ruled out for Game 4 of the Pacers vs. Celtics series, according to The Athletic's Joe Vardon.
Earlier on Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Haliburton was unlikely to play in Game 4, and Vardon's report makes it official.
Reporting on Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton on NBA Today ahead of Game 4 pic.twitter.com/jmj2xwxp76
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 27, 2024
Indiana coach Rick Carlisle revealed after Game 3 that Haliburton wanted to play but the decision "was taken out of his hands."
"He is feeling better," Carlisle told reporters. "We'll see where he is on Monday."
That gave Pacers fans some hope Haliburton would be able to return to the lineup. However, Wojnarowski reported before Game 3 that the Pacers were going to take a cautious approach with Haliburton — unlike the Knicks did with OG Anunoby in Game 7 of their series with the Pacers.
"The Pacers are going to air on the side of caution with this left hamstring injury," Wojnarowski explained before Game 3. "For that reason, you may have seen Tyrese Haliburton for the last time in this series."
.@wojespn gives the latest on Tyrese Haliburton's hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/UNZaa3iLeL
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 26, 2024
The Pacers started Ben Sheppard in place of Haliburton in Game 3. However, Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell picked up most of the slack for Haliburton, combining for 55 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists in a combined 68 minutes played.
Considering how well that arrangement worked, Carlisle seems likely to trust that rotation again since Haliburton is unavailable. The Pacers will merely need to be a bit better in the fourth quarter to secure their first win of the series.
MORE: Why NBA fans blame 65-game rule for Tyrese Haliburton's hamstring injury
Celtics vs. Pacers start time
- Date: Monday, May 27
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
The Celtics vs. Pacers game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, May 27. The game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
What channel is Celtics vs. Pacers on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Sling
Celtics vs. Pacers will air nationally on ESPN. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling.
Sling is the home for sports fans, as it offers a wide range of channels. You can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
STREAM: Watch NBA playoff games live with Sling
Celtics vs. Pacers schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the NBA Playoff series between the Celtics and Pacers:
(1) Celtics vs. (6) Pacers — Boston leads 3-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| May 21 | Celtics 133, Pacers 128 (OT) | — | — |
| May 23 | Celtics 126, Pacers 110 | — | — |
| May 25 | Celtics 114, Pacers 111 | — | — |
| May 27 | Game 4 | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| May 29 | Game 5* | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| May 31 | Game 6* | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| June 2 | Game 7* | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
*If necessary
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