Pacers rely on home advantage against Celtics in Game 3

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The Indiana Pacers have a flawless 6-0 home record in the NBA playoffs, but a new obstacle has emerged.

Not only are the Pacers trailing 2-0 against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals, Indiana may also not be able to call on the services of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton for the decisive third game on Saturday (8:30 ET on ABC) in Indianapolis.

Haliburton injured his left thigh in the second quarter of Thursday's 126-110 loss in Game 2 and was eliminated towards the end of the third quarter. The team has classified his participation for Saturday's game as questionable.

The Pacers hope to make the All-NBA third team, but they're also realistic. Haliburton suffered a similar injury earlier this season – on Jan. 8, also against Boston – and missed 10 of the next 11 games. Indiana went 6-4 without him.

There is certainly more at stake now as the Pacers hope to avoid a 3-0 deficit.

“Now it is time for everyone in this group to get involved and take on a bigger role,” Indiana guard TJ McConnell discussed the possibility of his team being without Haliburton.

“We did a good job of that when he was out there. It hurts when he goes down, but it's one of those things where the 'next guy's up' mentality comes into play. Of course, we'll see.”

Haliburton had 25 points and 10 assists as the Pacers fought hard in Game 1 before falling 133-128 in overtime. He had 10 points and 8 assists in Game 2 as Boston's Jaylen Brown stole the show by matching his personal playoff career high of 40 points.

Despite trailing 2-0 and the possibility of their best player being out for the rest of the series, the Pacers point to their home-court advantage as a reason they can still win the seven-game series.

Indiana has won 11 consecutive home games since losing the regular season to the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 18.

“I think we have the guys that understand how hard it is to win and we know we can bounce back,” Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said. “We've done that all year and now it's time to give it our all and just go out there and compete at the highest level in front of our fans.”

Brown was undoubtedly playing at a high level, making four 3-pointers and 14 of 27 field goals in Game 2.

His big moment came one night after he was passed over for the All-NBA team announcement. Brown was projected as a second-round pick for the 2022-23 season, but failed to secure one of the 15 spots this season.

“I think he cares in a way that motivates him, and I think he doesn't care at all,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “He understands that winning is the most important thing. He just cares about the right things.”

Brown denied that missing out on the award motivated him for Game 2.

“I mean, we're two games away from the finals,” Brown said. “So, frankly, I don't have time to give a (expletive) about it.”

Although Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each contributed 23 points, Thursday night was Brown's show.

“I mean, he's got it,” Boston guard Jrue Holiday said. “You see what I see. Great player, great leader, but he wants to win. And he takes things into his own hands.”

“That's why I'm glad to have him by my side. I'm going with him.” The way JB plays, man, that's outstanding.”

Brown averaged 33 points in the two games in Boston, but the task may be even more difficult during a big sports weekend in Indianapolis.

The Celtics and Pacers will play their fourth game on Monday and the famous Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, the day between the games.

“I know our building is going to be louder and livelier than ever,” said Indianapolis coach Rick Carlisle. “It's race weekend and everything else is going on. We have to take advantage of that.”

Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis (calf) will miss his ninth consecutive game.