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Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton missed his third straight game on Monday night due to a left hip flexor strain, sitting out Indiana's 121-103 loss to the Chicago Bulls. This marks his longest absence of the season after missing only one of the team's first 60 games before this recent setback.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle provided an update before the game, stating that Haliburton was making progress but was not yet ready to return. The two-time All-Star was originally listed as day-to-day, but his recovery has taken longer than anticipated. His last appearance came in a dominant performance against the Houston Rockets last Tuesday, where he recorded 28 points and 15 assists in a 115-102 victory.
Pacers struggling without Haliburton
Since Haliburton's absence, the Pacers have dropped three consecutive games, highlighting his importance to the team's success. Myles Turner led Indiana with 15 points in the loss to Chicago, but the team struggled to generate consistent offense without their floor general.
Carlisle opted to limit his starters' minutes in the second half with the game out of reach, a decision likely influenced by the quick turnaround ahead.
The Pacers, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, have little time to regroup as they prepare for a crucial home game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee sits directly ahead of Indiana in the standings, making Haliburton's potential return even more significant.
The Pacers will need all the firepower they can muster to keep pace in the playoff race, and Haliburton's status remains a key storyline heading into the matchup.