Tyrese Haliburton Injury Forces Indiana Pacers to Rethink Starting Lineup for 2025 NBA Season
The Indiana Pacers are heading into the upcoming NBA season facing a major setback, as star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is set to miss extended time due to an undisclosed injury. The team is now reconfiguring its starting lineup in his absence, with eyes on maintaining their playoff ambitions.
Haliburton, a cornerstone of the Pacers’ rebuild, was instrumental in their 2024 playoff push, averaging 20.1 points and 10.2 assists per game last season. His leadership and playmaking were seen as pivotal to Indiana’s rise in the Eastern Conference. However, the Pacers will now have to adjust quickly and find production elsewhere on the roster.
With Haliburton sidelined, head coach Rick Carlisle is expected to promote Andrew Nembhard to the starting point guard role. Nembhard, known for his defensive grit and improving offensive game, will now have the opportunity to prove himself on a bigger stage. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by veteran shooting guard Buddy Hield, whose sharpshooting will be more important than ever.
The forward spots will likely feature Bennedict Mathurin, entering his third season with high expectations, and the ever-reliable Aaron Nesmith. Myles Turner, the defensive anchor and rim protector, will continue to hold down the center position.
While Haliburton’s timeline for return is still unclear, the Pacers are hopeful that the young core can hold strong in his absence. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Indiana can weather the storm and remain competitive in a crowded Eastern Conference.
The Pacers open their preseason next month, where all eyes will be on how this reshuffled lineup performs under pressure.
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