

INDIANAPOLIS – Pacers all-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with a calf strain and was to undergo further imaging Tuesday, but he wants to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals with his team’s season on the brink.
A source briefed on Haliburton’s injury confirmed the calf strain and further testing, including an MRI, but also said Haliburton would push to play against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder can close out the finals by winning Game 6, which is at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Indianapolis, and claim their first title since moving to Oklahoma City.
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A team official said there would be no official injury update on Haliburton on Tuesday. The Pacers return to practice Wednesday in Indianapolis.
Haiburton sustained the latest injury in a 120-109 loss to the Thunder in Game 5 on Monday, in which he remained in the game but struggled (statistically, at least) and was walking gingerly for the second time after a game this series.
Haliburton is averaging 15 points, 7.2 assists and an uncharacteristically high 4.0 turnovers through five games in the finals, but has been struggling with injuries to his lower right leg for much of the series.
After hitting the game-winning shot in Game 1, Haliburton noted following a Game 2 loss that he was dealing with discomfort in his right leg. It was later said to be an ankle injury. In the first quarter of the Pacers’ Game 5 loss on Monday, Haliburton tripped on a drive and favored his right calf when he stood up. He had it wrapped when he was on the bench throughout the game, and finished with four points, seven boards and six assists in 34 minutes. He was 0-of-6 from the field.
Coach Rick Carlisle said the Pacers considered sitting Haliburton for the second half, but also felt Haliburton had a positive impact in his minutes after halftime.
“I mean, it’s the NBA Finals,” Haliburton said Monday. “It’s the finals, man. I’ve worked my whole life to be here, and I want to be out there to compete. Help my teammates any way I can.
“I was not great tonight by any means, but it’s not really a thought of mine to not play here. … If I can walk, then I want to play. They understand that. And it is what it is. Got to be ready to go for Game 6.”
Haliburton missed the final 2 1/2 games of the 2024 Eastern Conference finals against Boston with a hamstring strain.
He is shooting 45 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3-point range, which, like his turnovers in the finals, are well below his usual numbers. The Thunder are hounding him, using the substantially heavier Lu Dort to push Haliburton out toward halfcourt when he is the primary ballhandler or even when he catches the ball behind the 3-point line from a teammate.
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The Pacers are already without reserve forward Jarace Walker, whose severe ankle sprain suffered at the end of the conference finals has knocked him out of this series. Carlisle said Sunday that Walker was unlikely to play in any of the remaining games but would have received minutes if healthy.
(Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
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