Report: Tyrese Haliburton may have strained calf, will get MRI
Report: Tyrese Haliburton may have strained calf, will get MRI
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Tyrese Haliburton discusses the Pacers' Game 5 loss to the Thunder
Tyrese Haliburton, dealing with a lower-leg injury had just four points with zero field goals in the Pacers' 120-109 loss to the Thunder.
The NBA Finals may hinge on one right leg.
Specifically, the right calf of Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered another injury or re-aggravated a previous one – Haliburton said after Game 5 he is not sure which – in Indiana's 120-109 loss to Oklahoma City on Monday, June 16.
On Tuesday, ESPN reported that Haliburton is believed to have a strained right calf and will have an MRI.
Haliburton fell while driving to the basket in the opening quarter and came up holding his right calf. He went to the locker room, but returned in the second quarter. He scored just four points and didn't make a basket - both career playoff lows.
While it's unclear how much - if at all - the leg injury is affecting his shooting, one thing is clear. The Pacers must have Haliburton's offense to win the championship. And they have to win Game 6 in Indianapolis to force a decisive Game 7.
Will he be able to play in Game 6 on Thursday, June 19?
'He's not at a hundred percent,' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said after Game 5. 'It's pretty clear. But I don't think he's going to miss the next game. We were concerned at halftime, and he insisted on playing."
Haliburton was more forceful in his reply: '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. ... Got to be ready to go for Game 6.'
Will Tyrese Haliburton play in NBA Finals Game 6?
Tyrese Haliburton and coach Rick Carlisle said after Game 5 that the Pacers guard would play. However, Carlisle also said they would monitor Haliburton and "evaluate everything with Tyrese."
When will we know if Tyrese Haliburton is playing in NBA Finals Game 6?
The team could make a formal announcement any time, but the final injury report is due Thursday.
When is NBA Finals Game 6?
The Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 on Thursday, June 19.
Where is NBA Finals Game 6?
The game is at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
What time is NBA Finals Game 6?
Game 6 is at 8:30 p.m. ET.
What channel is broadcasting NBA Finals Game 6?
ABC will carry Game 6.
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Fox News
9 minutes ago
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Tyrese Haliburton faces MRI for calf strain before critical NBA Finals Game 6: report
The Indiana Pacers may be without one of their stars heading into a must-win Game 6 at home in the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Tyrese Haliburton, who has been pivotal in the Pacers' playoffs success, is believed to have suffered a right calf strain, and ESPN reported an MRI is needed to determine its severity. In turn, Haliburton's status for Game 6 remains a large question looming over Indiana. The injury occurred in Game 5's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, where Haliburton had just four points in 34 minutes on the floor. All four of those points came from the free throw line, as he missed all six of his shots. Haliburton also finished with seven rebounds, six assists and a -13 plus-minus mark for the game. The injury was believed to have occurred while driving to the basket in the first quarter, which could explain Haliburton's oddly silent night on the offensive end. He went back to the locker room after the play, but returned to the bench shortly after. Haliburton was wearing a wrap around his calf, but he took it off mid-game. It was initially diagnosed as calf tightness, but the Pacers believe it to be more than that. However, Haliburton told reporters that he intends to play the rest of the series. "I was not great tonight, but if I can walk then I wanna play," he said. "It's the NBA Finals. It's the Finals, man," Haliburton added. "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." It goes without saying how vital Haliburton's presence in the Pacers' starting five is, especially when it comes to crunch time in the fourth quarter. Haliburton has had enough game-winning buckets to last an entire playoff career, let alone just one stretch, which includes Game 1's heroic mid-range jumper to win it on the road. The Pacers don't have any breathing room, needing to win the next two games to secure the NBA title. Meanwhile, the Thunder have momentum even heading on the road after the 120-109 victory on Monday night. Through 21 playoff games, Haliburton has averaged 17.9 points, 9.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds for Indiana, while draining 46.3% of his shots from the floor. If Haliburton is unable to play, the Pacers do have some good depth, with T.J. McConnell most likely taking over duties at point guard. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Miami Herald
11 minutes ago
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Jalen Williams (40 points) leads Thunder to verge of title
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