Jan 10, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) dribbles the ball while Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith scored nine points in nine minutes in his return from a left ankle sprain in the Pacers 111-100 win over the Pistons.

It may have seemed odd that Rick Carlisle appeared pleased to announce in his pre-game news conference Tuesday that his All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton has a mild groin strain, but that was because of what he was reporting that the injury was not.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is ... That will likely happen again if Haliburton is out Tuesday. Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith is still listed as out with a left ...

The Pacers got off to a bad start, but they are 10-3 since Dec. 13. And Haliburton has regained his All-Star form.

The night before, Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers' franchise player, had said following a loss in Toronto that they were putting an embarrassing product on the floor and needed to start matching or exceeding their opponents' energy level.

For the game, they will likely be without their best player, as All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is on the injury report. Haliburton is averaging 18.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 44.