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Will Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis play in Game 3 of East finals?
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- Will Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis play in Game 3 of East finals?
As the Eastern Conference finals series between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Saturday, all eyes are on the status of several key players who are dealing with injuries.
Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton , who was named to the All-NBA third team this week, exited the Celtic's 126-110 win on Thursday with a left hamstring injury . He left in the third quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the game and his status is up in the air for Game 3, a pivotal one for the Pacers as they try to avoid going down 0-3 in the series.
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The Pacers aren't the only ones hampered by injury. Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis has not made an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals as he continues to recover from a right calf injury.
Boston has a 2-0 lead . The Pacers are undefeated at home this postseason.
Here is the injury designations for both players heading into Game 3:
When is Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals?
Game 3 between the Pacers and Celtics tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC.
Will Tyrese Haliburton play in Game 3?
Haliburton is questionable for Game 3 with left hamstring soreness, the Pacers announced Friday. It's the same hamstring that kept Haliburton on the sidelines for 10 games in January.
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Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Haliburton didn't come into Game 2 with left hamstring soreness, but Haliburton was experiencing soreness by halftime and was tended to by the team's trainers. Haliburton "came out and gave it a shot" in the third quarter before being ruled out of the game entirely.
"Losing Ty (Haliburton) for the game is obviously a big blow," Carlisle said postgame on Thursday, adding that the team will know more about Haliburton's status ahead of the game on Saturday. "We hope this is a very short-term aggravation, but we will know more (soon). ... The next game is coming quickly."
Will Kristaps Porzingis play in Game 3?
The Celtics ruled out Porzingis for Game 3 due to a right soleus strain that has sidelined him for eight straight games this postseason.
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Porzingis has not played since the first round when he exited the Celtics' Game 4 victory over the Miami Heat after injuring his right calf and gingerly walking off the court.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Celtics are optimistic Porzingis can return as soon as Game 4 on Monday.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyrese Haliburton, Kristaps Porzingis injury updates, Game 3 status
