Tyrese

Haliburton

Carlisle relayed to reporters that Haliburton is dealing with a mild left hamstring strain. He said Haliburton is considered week-to-week, though he won’t play for the next two weeks before being re-evaluated. It’s not great news for Haliburton, but it certainly could’ve been worse. Andrew Nembhard will likely see the majority of starts at point guard while Haliburton is sidelined.

Haliburton was already questionable for Wednesday’s game, but he won’t be available for it. There is no clarity to this timeline currently, so hopefully head coach Rick Carlisle will provide more either before or after their game against the 76ers. Andrew Nembhard (neck) is questionable, and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) hasn’t played this season. Nembhard will likely be the starting point guard until Haliburton returns, with Quenton Jackson as the next man up. Rookie Braden Smith could also be part of the rotation if Indiana ends up truly shorthanded.

Haliburton’s left hamstring appeared to be giving him trouble during the second half of Monday’s loss to the Bucks, and he’s now on the injury report due to left hamstring tightness. Who would benefit if he sits depends on Andrew Nembhard’s availability (neck), as he is also questionable. Quenton Jackson’s role in the rotation would become more important if Haliburton can’t play.

Haliburton and the Pacers didn’t get the win on Monday, but his being on the floor was a big deal. The Pacers’ point guard played both games of the team’s road back-to-back, logging 35 minutes against the Bucks. Haliburton appeared to get his upper left leg wrapped up during a stint on the bench early in the fourth quarter, but he returned a few minutes later and finished the game.

Haliburton and the Pacers bounced back from Friday’s loss to the Mavericks, taking care of the Nets in their Week 1 finale. The Pacers’ point guard recorded his second 20-point double-double in three games and hit four three-pointers. While injury management may be a concern, Haliburton said in his postgame interview that he expects to play on Monday against the Bucks. If he’s overruled and doesn’t play, that would raise Andrew Nembhard’s (14/1/3/1 with four three-pointers) ceiling.

Sunday’s game is the first of two in as many days for the Pacers, who visit the Bucks on Monday. After missing so much time following his Achilles rupture during the 2025 NBA Finals, Haliburton may not be at a point where the Pacers feel comfortable with him playing back-to-backs. Since he’s available on Sunday, Haliburton may not play in Indiana’s first game of Week 2.

You’d want Haliburton to be more aggressive, especially in games where they can’t score, but this is part of the deal with Haliburton. He’s not the type of person that will take a bunch of shots and will have games where he doesn’t score much. The reason why Haliburton is a good fantasy player is not the scoring. He got the peripheral stats in this game which is good to see.

Jarace Walker will take Kelly Oubre’s spot in the starting lineup after he started the first game. The Pacers also have Aaron Nesmith available to play tonight. It’s possible that Rick Carlisle is trying to match the size of the Mavericks by putting Walker in to start.

Haliburton was overcome with emotion in the postgame interview after he had 23 points and the Pacers won the first game he’s played since he suffered a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. It was certainly a meaningful milestone for the 26-year-old point guard, who was also diagnosed with shingles while recovering from his torn Achilles. Haliburton was sharp in the preseason and in the regular season opener he looked ready to deliver first-round fantasy value once again.

Kelly Oubre is getting the start with Aaron Nesmith out with a hamstring strain. Oubre can be used as a streamer in redraft leagues for today.