During the Indiana Pacers game against the Boston Celtics, their star guard Tyrese Halliburton left the court in pain. Late in the second quarter, Halliburton slipped on a layup and landed on his right leg in an awkward situation. In obvious pain, he grabbed his lower leg and struggled to walk on his own.

He was then carried to the locker room by teammates and has now confirmed a left hamstring injury. The severity of the injury has yet to be determined, but Halliburton will undergo an MRI scan soon to get a clearer picture.

This is a major blow to a Pacers team that relies heavily on Halliburton's leadership and playmaking skills. The former All-Star averaged 24.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and a league-leading 12.7 assists per game this season, playing a crucial role in the team's current 20-15 record and hopes for a playoff push.

Fans are understandably concerned about the amount of time Halliburton may miss. While the exact nature of the injury is unknown, any prolonged absence of the star player could seriously impact the Pacers' playoff aspirations.

This isn't the first time the Celtics have given the Pacers trouble this season. Indiana lost the first meeting between the two sides 118-101, and Halliburton himself admitted that the Celtics' defence was impressive. He praised the Celtics for having "different defensive players" and even called them "probably the best defensive team in the NBA."

Halliburton's own performance in that game mirrored the Celtics' strong defence. Despite 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists, he also committed four turnovers and struggled with the defensive pressure of Derrick White and Junior Gasol, whom he called "two of the best ball handlers in the league."

Turnovers have been a recurring problem for Halliburton this season, with the Pacers going 2-6 in games where he has four or more turnovers. This highlights the importance of Halliburton staying in control and limiting turnovers, especially in key games.

The uncertainty of Halliburton's injury adds another layer of tension to an already competitive Eastern Conference playoff race. The Pacers must respond to this challenge wisely, hoping for a speedy recovery for their star player and attempting to adjust their game plan in his absence if necessary.