Tyrese Haliburton out, Bennedict Mathurin in for Pacers' game in Boston
Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. game against the Celtics with a right ankle sprain, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told reporters in Boston in his pre-game press conference.
Carlisle said second-year wing Bennedict Mathurin, who missed practice Tuesday with a right elbow contusion and was listed as questionable, will be available for the game.
Haliburton, who averaged 20.7 points and 10.4 assists per game last year to earn his first All-Star nod and, in turn, a spot on Team USA for the FIBA World Cup and a five-year max contract extension worth up to $260 million, posted double-doubles in each of the Pacers' first three games this season and is averaging 20.0 points and 12.3 assists for the 2-1 Pacers.
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Haliburton's injury likely means that second-year guard Andrew Nembhard will get the start at point and T.J. McConnell will return to control the second unit. It's a tough loss considering the Pacers are facing a 3-0 Celtics team that is one of just three remaining unbeaten teams in the NBA. The Celtics lost to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, but added All-Stars Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in offseason trades.
According to the official injury report, backup center Jalen Smith is also out with a capsular sprain in his left knee. Smith averaged 11.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in the season's first three games. Isaiah Jackson and Daniel Theis will be options to take Smith's minutes behind starter Myles Turner.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Celtics: Tyrese Haliburton out with ankle sprain
