Team USA clinched gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics, but their journey was not without controversy. Head coach Steve Kerr faced significant criticism for his unconventional player rotations, and star Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton was notably underused.
Despite the abundance of talent available to Kerr, Haliburton appeared in only three games, and his playing time was minimal. Many speculated that Haliburton was at the bottom of Kerr’s rotation. However, it has come to light that Haliburton was also contending with a minor leg injury throughout the tournament, which was not publicly disclosed by the team.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, “Tyrese Haliburton was hindered by a minor leg injury during the Olympics—though not announced by Team USA, he did have an MRI. He faced a tough competition for minutes but still has a future with the program.”
Haliburton, who had an outstanding season with the Pacers, averaging 20.1 points, 10.9 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, and earning his second All-Star selection along with his first All-NBA honor, found himself at the end of Kerr’s bench due to the team’s depth.
It’s worth noting that Haliburton’s season with the Pacers ended early due to a hamstring injury sustained in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, which sidelined him for the remainder of the playoffs. Though it’s unclear if this injury was related to the one he experienced during the Olympics, Pacers fans can appreciate that the team chose to manage his health cautiously to avoid exacerbating the injury. Despite the limited playtime, Haliburton still secured a gold medal with Team USA. His limited court time can now be better understood in light of his injury status.
