Indiana Pacers hit with unfortunate Tyrese Haliburton news in Finals Game 5 against OKC Thunder

Time of India

5 hours ago

Tyrese Haliburton. Image via: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images
The Indiana Pacers suffered a significant scare in Game 5 of the NBA Finals as star guard Tyrese Haliburton appeared hobbled once again by a nagging leg injury. Facing the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road, Indiana found itself not only down on the scoreboard but also potentially compromised by the condition of its floor general, whose presence has been vital throughout the postseason.
While Haliburton returned to the court mid-game, his performance raised serious concerns about his health and effectiveness moving forward.
Tyrese Haliburton battles through leg injury as the Indiana Pacers struggle in Game 5 vs.
OKC Thunder
Tyrese Haliburton played just over ten minutes in the first quarter before heading to the locker room, visibly uncomfortable and grabbing his lower right leg. When he re-emerged with a wrap around the area, fans hoped it was precautionary. However, his movement told a different story.
With a noticeable limp and limited burst, he labored through the rest of the half, managing only two assists, a rebound, and no points.
Sadly for the Pacers, it was his first scoreless half in 36 playoff appearances. Still, he came back in the second quarter.
ESPN's Shams Charania confirmed during the halftime show that the 24-year-old All-Star was battling right calf tightness, a condition that has nagged him for much of the series.
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Despite downplaying it earlier, Haliburton had hinted that something was off. 'I'm fine. Really just a lower leg thing. I'll leave it at that. I don't think there's anything more to elaborate,' he said before Game 3.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle had acknowledged Haliburton's discomfort earlier in the series, but insisted the situation was being managed. Yet, as Game 5 progressed, it became clear the injury was affecting performance.
Haliburton shot 0-of-5 from the field in the first half, including 0-of-4 from deep, and seemed unable to initiate the kind of tempo Indiana relies on.
His inability to find rhythm mirrored Indiana's overall struggles. The Pacers coughed up the ball 10 times in the first half and trailed by 14 at the break, a result that echoed their late-game collapse in Game 4. 'Tyrese isn't backing himself up with superstar-level play,' one analyst noted.
'Indiana will need him to step up and play through it to have any shot at a Game 1 level comeback.'
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Though Game 6 returns to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the road to a possible Game 7 looks uncertain without a fully healthy Haliburton. And if the injury persists, the Pacers' title hopes could end not with a blowout, but with the slow fade of their most important player.