Haliburton plays off the bench, Pacers shift rotation in search of answers in third straight loss

Haliburton came off the bench for the first time with the Pacers and played different stretches, two key players were out and Nembhard was given the night off. The Kings had four 20-point scorers.

Tyrese Haliburton is frustrated by his current circumstance, unable to play his full minutes and help the team compete. (Photo: PS&E)

Given their current circumstances, the Indiana Pacers are seeking the right combination of lineups and minutes.

It all starts with the two-time All-Star on the team, Tyrese Haliburton. Playing the third game in four nights, he wanted to have the opportunity to finish the game on the court after not playing in the fourth quarter of last two games because he had reached his minutes restriction.

For now, that appears to be about 22 minutes.

And so he played off the bench on Friday for the first time after 118 consecutive starts since being acquired from the Sacramento Kings, coincidentally against his former team.

This was something discussed one night earlier in New York following a 109-105 loss despite the Pacers having a five-point lead entering the final quarter. Haliburton’s minutes were used up so he didn’t return and the Pacers lost. It’s a helpless feeling for everyone involved.