Someone turn injuries off already. Tyrese Haliburton after playing in his first back to back since his return from an Achilles injury is now dealing with a hamstring strain in his left hamstring for the third time. Head coach Rick Carlisle says that Haliburton will be out a minimum of two weeks but that it’s considered a mild strain.

At least two weeks means a minimum of 8 games and perhaps more, we’ve seen the Pacers be cautious in players return from hamstring strains with minute restrictions for Aaron Nesmith when he returned and Haliburton in previous in-season returns from the same injury. So this will represent a challenge for the Pacers during what was already a tough opening schedule to the season. They’ll have to do what they couldn’t do last year and find a way to win enough of these games to tread water.

Eslewhere on the very long Pacers injury report: Andrew Nembhard will return to action tonight after missing the previous game with neck soreness. T.J. McConnell is getting closer but is still not ready for his first game of the season while recovering from his own hamstring strain.

Ben Sheppard will now be out a matter of “months” after his knee surgery but they aren’t sure how many months at this point.

Ivica Zubac remains out with his sprained ankle. Johnny Furphy remains out while rehabbing his ACL injury. Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith are active after being listed on the injury report as probable.

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