Pacers Star Haliburton Sidelined for Weeks with Hamstring Injury
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton will miss at least two weeks with a mild left hamstring strain, adding to a history of similar injuries and a growing list of sidelined players for the team. Coach Rick Carlisle confirmed the setback, which follows Haliburton's return from a torn Achilles and a strong start to the current season. The Pacers are facing significant injury woes across their roster, impacting several key contributors.
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is facing a setback due to a "mild" strained left hamstring and is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks, as confirmed by coach Rick Carlisle on Wednesday. Carlisle stated that it is unrealistic for Haliburton to play before this two-week period, and his status will be assessed as week-to-week thereafter. Prior to Wednesday's home game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Pacers reportedly consulted a hamstring expert, a professional they have worked with previously, to meet with their trainers, Haliburton, and front office members.
Haliburton's current injury follows a period of strong performance. He had participated in the first four games of the current season for Indiana, including a demanding back-to-back schedule this past Sunday and Monday. During these initial games, he averaged an impressive 21.8 points, 9.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, shooting 52% from the field and playing an average of 33 minutes per game. He had acknowledged feeling "a little beat up" after Monday's game in Milwaukee before his injury was officially reported.
This is not Haliburton's first encounter with a left hamstring injury. In January 2024, he was sidelined for 10 out of 11 games due to the same issue. He later returned to play for the remainder of that season but aggravated the injury during the playoffs, which forced him to miss the final two games of the Eastern Conference finals against Boston. Notably, Haliburton had also recently recovered from a significant absence, having missed 16 months while recuperating from a torn Achilles tendon suffered during the 2025 NBA Finals. The Pacers, during Haliburton's absence for the entire 2025-26 season, recorded only 19 wins, marking the fewest in franchise history.
Haliburton's injury adds him to a growing list of star players who have been sidelined early in the season, including Jalen Williams of Oklahoma City, Anthony Edwards of Minnesota, and Kawhi Leonard of Toronto. The Indiana Pacers themselves are grappling with an escalating number of injuries, with four of their five starters appearing on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Sixers.
Other key players affected include Ivica Zubac, who was ruled out for Wednesday's game with a left ankle sprain. T.J. McConnell, who has yet to play this season, is dealing with a right hamstring strain and is anticipated to miss approximately one more week. Ben Sheppard's season could be severely impacted by a torn left meniscus, expected to keep him out for "months," according to Coach Carlisle. Additionally, Johnny Furphy has undergone surgery on his right ACL. Andrew Nembhard, who missed Monday's game in Milwaukee, is listed as questionable for Wednesday's contest due to neck soreness, further exacerbating the team's health concerns.