Tyrese Haliburton delivers brutal NBA Finals performance as injury concern hangs over Pacers' loss
It was a night to forget at the worst possible time for Tyrese Haliburton.
The Pacers star, dealing with injuries to his right leg, did not make a field goal in their 120-109 loss to the Thunder in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.
Haliburton scored just four points — all on free throws — in 34 minutes while missing all six field goals he took in the biggest game of his NBA career thus far.
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Monday, June 16, 2025.
AP
He did add seven rebounds and six assists while watching Pascal Siakam carry the offense with 28 points, six rebounds and five assists.
During halftime, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that Haliburton was dealing with right calf tightness on the same leg he had ankle soreness last week.
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The wing slipped on a drive during the first half, where he likely tweaked his calf.
'He's not 100 percent,' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told reporters after the game. 'It's pretty clear. But I don't think he's gonna miss the next game.'
Haliburton has been superb during the Pacers' postseason run, hitting game-winners in Game 1s against to Cavaliers and Thunder while also connecting on the game-tying bucket at the end of regulation during Indiana's Game 1 win over the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.
Tyrese Haliburton looks to make a shot during the Pacers' Game 5 loss June 16.
AP
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Indiana, which is in search of the franchise's first NBA championship, must dig out of a 3-2 hole to do so with Game 6 back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday, and it'll need a much better version of Haliburton than this.
'I don't know exactly what's wrong, but I know he's fighting,' Siakam said.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 40 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in 31 points and 10 assists for the Thunder.
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