Tyrese Haliburton out with hamstring strain after four-game return

Tyrese Haliburton will sit out Wednesday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers with a hamstring strain. The injury marks the first setback of his return to the court after missing the entire 2025-26 season.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle spoke to 1075 The Fan on Wednesday about the guard's condition. Carlisle said Haliburton was scheduled to meet with a hamstring specialist, team doctors, and officials later that afternoon. "We'll hope this hamstring thing is not a big deal or not any kind of a long-term thing," Carlisle said.

Haliburton missed the 2025-26 season after tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since returning, he has recorded 21.8 points, 9.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game over Indiana's first four contests. He is shooting 51.6 percent from the field, 37.0 percent from three-point range, and 86.7 percent from the free throw line.

The Pacers face the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks over the next seven days. They will also be without center Ivica Zubac and guard TJ McConnell, both listed as out on the injury report. Guard Andrew Nembhard is questionable with a neck and back injury.

Pascal Siakam is expected to assume a larger offensive role. The team may utilize small-ball lineups with Obi Toppin at center. The injury adds to a list of absent stars for Wednesday night's games, which includes Anthony Edwards, Jalen Williams, Paolo Banchero, Kawhi Leonard, Jaren Jackson Jr., Chet Holmgren, and Alperen Sengun.

Brandon Ingram, Jimmy Butler, Kon Knueppel, and Kristaps Porzingis have not yet made their season debuts. The early season injury count is approaching normal levels for the league. The pace of modern play, which emphasizes speed and explosive movement, is a factor in the frequency of soft tissue injuries.