Tyrese Haliburton Injury Update Could Doom Pacers Finals Run

Newsweek

4 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The Indiana Pacers fell in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, partially because Tyrese Haliburton was hurt.
They have now lost back-to-back games for the first time since March. They are now forced to win the next two games if they want to win the NBA championship.
Haliburton was dealing with a lower leg injury, specifically to his calf. He was grabbing it multiple times in the game and had a giant wrap on it.
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers reacts during the last minute of the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the 2025 NBA Finals. His availability for the rest of...
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers reacts during the last minute of the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the 2025 NBA Finals. His availability for the rest of the Finals is now in question. More
Photo byHaliburton was clearly affected by the injury. He finished with just four points and was 0-6 from the field, playing his worst game of the playoffs.
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The Pacers offered a concerning update following the game, leaving his availability in question for the rest of the NBA Finals.
Rick Carlisle said that Haliburton is "not at a hundred percent. ... But I don't think he's going to miss the next game."
Carlisle did mention that they will continue to monitor him and consider all options before Game 6 on Thursday night.
While Haliburton was ineffective, backup point guard T.J. McConnell was phenomenal, putting up 18 points. He kept the Pacers in the game.
Despite Haliburton's injury, Carlisle decided to keep McConnell on the bench at the end of the game. Had he played, the Pacers might have been better on offense.
Now, the Pacers have to hope that Haliburton can get healthy enough to be much better in that game. They need him to keep their season alive.
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If Haliburton is not going to be healthy enough to be effective on the offensive end of the court, especially with hitting open shots, then Carlisle will have no choice but to play McConnell more.
McConnell's style of play doesn't allow him to play starter minutes, but he might have to play 25 minutes in Game 6 if Haliburton can't move around.
The Pacers will have two full days to give Haliburton round-the-clock treatment on the injury to get him right for the biggest game in Pacers history.
Indiana needs their most important player to be at his best when the lights are shining the most. They need him to be his normal, dynamic self.
This postseason, Haliburton is averaging 17.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game.
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