Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Expected to Return Thursday

The Indiana Pacers expect to have their budding young star back in action sooner than later. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, coach Rick Carlisle said the team expects Tyrese Haliburton to make his return from injury Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said today that he expects top All-Star contender Tyrese Haliburton to make his return from injury Thursday night against the visiting Lakers.

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Haliburton has missed 10 straight games with a sprained knee and a sprained ankle. Before the injuries, the third-year player had appeared in 40 of a possible 42 games, averaging a career-high 20.2 points per game and an NBA-best 10.2 assists per game.

Haliburton has been comfortably the best player on a surprising Pacers team this season. He leads the team in scoring and assists, and the Pacers are 24-28 and 10th in the Eastern Conference. If Haliburton continues to improve and eventually evolves into a perennial All Star, the Pacers will have a chance to become a contender. More than likely though, they'll have to find another star to complement Haliburton.

If Haliburton can't be ready in time for Thursday's game against the Lakers, his next chance to return will be against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.