Indiana Pacers guard Tyreese Hailburton (knee) did not return against the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
Haliburton was injured during the third quarter of action after a Knicks player landed on his foot, as the Pacers star exited for the locker room in discomfort before ultimately being ruled out.
After the game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle revealed that the Pacers guard left the building with crutches, and that he would be reevaluated tomorrow.
Haliburton’s injury could potentially serve as a substantial blow for a Pacers squad that has found its groove of late. Indiana had won eight of its last ten games heading into Wednesday night, and currently sits sixth in the Eastern Conference.
The 22-year-old has emerged this season as a premier distributor in the NBA. To go along with 20.3 points per game and 4.0 rebounds, Haliburton leads the NBA averaging 10.3 assists per game, and appears well on his way to making his first career All-Star Game appearance.
Should he miss some time, Canadian Bennedict Mathurin could see some increased runway in his absence. Mathurin has been a revelation for the Pacers in his rookie season, and is amongst the favourites to win the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy for the NBA’s rookie of the year.
