The Sacramento Kings got some good news and bad news about rookie standout Tyrese Haliburton’s knee injury. An MRI revealed no ligament damage in his left knee, so Haliburton won’t need surgery, but he will be out for the remainder of the regular season.

Haliburton suffered the injury in Sunday’s win over the Dallas Mavericks. The injury initially looked worse than what it is, and it’s a great sign that he won’t need to go under the knife.

Tyrese Haliburton suffered a knee injury on this play and will not return vs. the Mavs tonight

Prayers up pic.twitter.com/qDiEiVgThy

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 3, 2021

Haliburton has been in the running for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award all season. He has played in 58 games this season and is averaging 13 points, 5.3 assists, and 3 rebounds per game while shooting a tidy 40.9 percent from the 3-point line.

General manager Monte McNair got the steal of the 2020 NBA Draft with Haliburton falling all the way down to No. 12. Haliburton gives the organization another foundational piece alongside point guard De’Aaron Fox.

The Kings have managed to keep on winning despite missing Fox, Barnes, and Haliburton. They have won three in a row and are still mathematically alive in the chase for a play-in position. Sacramento beat the Oklahoma City Thunder without three of its best players on Tuesday.

Although his season has been cut short due to the injury, Haliburton’s rookie year will go down as a resounding success. His playmaking abilities give the team another ball handler without Fox on the floor, and he is already one of the best shooters on the Kings.

Haliburton has the potential to grow into an NBA All-Star in his career. He will certainly be part of the franchise’s long-term plans heading into a crucial offseason.