In the first quarter of their Game 5 loss of the NBA Finals, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a right calf strain. While Indiana has not yet confirmed the news, ESPN’s Shams Charania said that Haliburton ‘has every intention’ of suiting up for Game 6.
“He’s fully intending on being out there tonight. He is going to gut it out,” Charania said on the Pat McAfee Show. “He’s definitely got to be careful. But as long as he can get out there, I would expect Tyrese Haliburton to play tonight.”
Haliburton finished Game 4 with just four points, all of which came from the free-throw line. He underwent an MRI the following day, confirming the calf injury. Indiana is down 3-2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals, and a loss would end their season after reaching the championship series for the first time since 2000.
Haliburton Speaks On Injury
Haliburton was originally listed as questionable to play heading into Game 6. During the Pacers’ media availability on Wednesday, the point guard echoed Charania’s sentiment that he would do everything he could to play in the game.
“I have to understand the risks, ask the right questions,” Haliburton said. “But I’m a competitor. I want to play. I’m going to do everything in my power to play.”
Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle also gave an update on the health of their 25-year-old star, who has hit four go-ahead or game-winning shots this postseason.
“He’ll go through the day tomorrow,” Carlisle said. “Our prep session is tomorrow late afternoon. They’ll get together and do some testing. That will determine whether he plays or not. If he doesn’t play, we have a plan, obviously, if we’re without him.”
Haliburton stated that he has been dealing with the injury since earlier in the series. He was seen limping off the court after Game 2, and he said that his calf injury was ‘worsened’ in Game 5. While it was his first playoff game without a made-field goal, he led the Pacers in assists and rebounds in the loss.
The All-Star reiterated that he will go through all of the necessary procedures to be ready for the tipoff of Game 6.
Indiana Without Their Star
The Pacers had a 4-5 record in the regular season when Haliburton didn’t play. If he does sit, T.J. McConnell would likely take his starting spot. McConnell scored a career-high 13 points in the third quarter of Game 5.
“He is another ball handler, someone that can get us to our spots, push the pace,” Indiana’s leading scorer Pascal Siakam said about McConnell. “He played great last game. (McConnell) is going to be huge for us going forward too.”
Before Charania’s insight on Thursday afternoon, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith stated that the Pacers will need someone else to step up if Indiana wants to win the series. He put pressure on players such as Aaron Nesmith, Benedict Mathurin, and McConnell if the Pacers want to extend the series.
“They feed off of this kind of adversity. They are looking for any little ingredient whatsoever to galvanize them and give them that adrenaline rush so it can propel them,” Smith said. “Indiana has to play by committee…They all have to play well.”
While Haliburton’s official status has yet to be confirmed, his play for Indiana will be crucial for extending the series to a Game 7 in Oklahoma City.
Haliburton is averaging 15.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in the first five games of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Thunder.
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