Tony East here, the host of the daily Locked On Pacers podcast, with your daily Locked On Pacers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pacers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
The latest on Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell
Oct 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) brings the ball up court in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard/David Richard-Imagn Images
Tyrese Haliburton’s Hamstring Woes: What It Means for the Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with a sore hamstring, and it’s a situation that demands careful attention. The Pacers star point guard is listed as doubtful for the upcoming game against the Cavaliers, which is actually a positive sign. The fact that it’s not an immediate “out” and didn’t require a press release suggests the injury might not be too severe.
However, given Haliburton’s history with hamstring issues – he dealt with three such injuries last year, including during the Olympics – the Pacers should err on the side of caution. I wouldn’t expect him to play in the Cavs game, and it’s plausible he’ll miss more time beyond that.
The silver lining here is the Pacers schedule. They have a favorable stretch coming up, with only five games between now and January 29th. This includes a trip to Paris to play the Spurs twice, bookended by extended breaks. This unique situation allows Haliburton to potentially miss fewer games than he would during a typical two-week stretch.
With Haliburton sidelined, the Pacers will need to adjust their lineup strategy. They’ve had success with two-point guard lineups this season, often having two of Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell on the floor at all times. Nembhard has shown he can lead the team effectively as the solo point guard, with the Pacers being plus-12 in his 41 minutes in that role.
The starting lineup will likely see a shake-up. Ben Sheppard might get the nod, given the Pacers past choices when Haliburton’s been out. However, Jarace Walker’s recent strong performances and Rick Carlisle’s emphasis on “skilled size” could make him a dark horse candidate for the starting spot.
T.J. McConnell’s Recent Struggles
T.J. McConnell’s performance has dipped recently, which is concerning given the increased responsibility he’ll likely shoulder in Haliburton’s absence. Over the last month, McConnell’s scoring and shooting efficiency have dropped noticeably. He’s averaging 8.6 points and 4.9 assists per game, shooting just 47% from two-point range – a significant decline from his usual standards.
The most glaring issue has been McConnell’s finishing at the rim. His percentage on shots at the basket has plummeted from 69.4% earlier in the season to 58.3% in recent games. Additionally, he’s taking fewer shots at the rim, opting instead for more mid-range attempts.
For McConnell to regain his effectiveness, he needs to focus on getting to the rim more frequently and finishing better when he gets there. His ability to adapt and improve in this area could be crucial for the Pacers as they navigate Haliburton’s absence.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers strategy without Haliburton, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
• Preview of Pacers vs. Cavaliers Round 2
• T.J. McConnell’s play under the microscope
• Potential lineup changes in Haliburton’s absence
Jan 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. | John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Something I realized last night at the Warriors-Raptors game, perhaps more pressingly than the last time the team was in town a season ago — this thing isn’t going to last forever.
You wouldn’t get that impression from Steph Curry, who takes his pre-game warmup last and happily engages with the fans who show up an hour before tip-off to watch him. Curry’s off-court presence, compared to his superstar contemporaries, has always been demure and private, but watching him revel and work within that outsized adoration is a privilege in itself. No fan in attendance watching him take feathery lob after feathery lob, or take a volleyball spike to the basketball so he could meet it mid-air for a dunk, was thinking about the finite nature of Curry — performer or competitor.
Even if the underlying desire of proximity to greatness stems from the understanding that one day that greatness will no longer exist, that reality doesn’t translate in the moment. In the moment, there’s just Curry, laughing with his coaches, signing the backs of jerseys, going through footwork, prepping for the night’s game.
Where the impression of a dynasty in its final stages becomes more pronounced is through the words of Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. Asked about how difficult it is to maintain a dynasty, and Kerr reverted to Curry.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Analysis TheDetroit Pistons are emerging as a serious surprise story this season. (TSN)
Biz Explosive court documents show co-conspirators and other shocking details in Jontay Porter’s ongoing betting scandal. (The Athletic)
Trade As the trade deadline approaches, here are the top 5 best moves the Indiana Pacers could consider to strengthen their roster. (Sports Illustrated)
Prediction The 2025 NBA Mock Draft includes full two-round predictions and pro comparisons. See which future stars might be headed to the Pacers. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Cavaliers will battle the Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Injury Update: Key Players Sidelined and Return Timelines For Fantasy Basketball
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) attempts a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, injuries continue to play a significant role in shaping team dynamics and fantasy basketball strategies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most impactful injuries across the league and their potential implications.
The Utah Jazz are once again at the forefront of injury-related drama. Lauri Markkanen’s back spasms and John Collins’ hip issue have raised eyebrows, with many speculating about potential load management strategies. Keyonte George’s heel soreness has kept him out for five consecutive games, while Jordan Clarkson’s plantar fascia injury could potentially end his season. The Jazz’s injury situation is one to monitor closely, as it could lead to increased opportunities for players like Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s knee injury has kept him out for four consecutive games. This absence highlights the risks associated with drafting Embiid in the first round of fantasy drafts. With a busy schedule ahead, including back-to-back sets, Embiid’s playing time could be limited even upon his return.
For more insights and a deeper dive into NBA injuries and their fantasy implications, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Portland Trail Blazers injury updates
• Phoenix Suns roster changes and injury concerns
• Orlando Magic’s lengthy injury report and fantasy implications
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. The latest on Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell The Indiana Pacers have have some point guard issues right now as Tyrese Haliburton is injured and T.J. McConnell is struggling. What does it mean and what can the Pacers do about it?
A statement win for the Pacers Indiana earned their sixth win a row and toppled the red-ht Cavaliers on Sunday. It was a statement win for the back-on-track Pacers, who won with defense, balance, and a malleable game plan. But Tyrese Haliburton left the game with an injury.
Pacers keep it rolling vs Warriors The Pacers didn’t play great on Friday, but the banged-up Warriors were still no match for the blue and gold. Here’s how Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathuirn led Indiana to a fifth-straight win.
