The standing of Tyrese Haliburton’s calf now hangs over the NBA Finals.
The Indiana Pacers’ star level guard performed by means of a proper calf pressure in Sport 5 and was set to bear an MRI on Tuesday, in response to ESPN.
Haliburton managed solely 4 factors on 0-of-6 capturing in Monday evening’s 120-109 loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, which put the Pacers in a 3-2 gap within the best-of-seven sequence.
“I was not great [in Game 5] by any means, but it’s not really a thought of mine to not play here,” Haliburton mentioned after the sport. “If I can walk, then I want to play.”
Haliburton briefly disappeared into the Pacers’ locker room throughout Monday’s first half, then returned to the bench with a wrap round his calf earlier than re-entering the sport.
He later mentioned the calf difficulty was within the “same area” for granted ankle harm that was reported after Sport 2.
“He’s not 100%. It’s pretty clear, but I don’t think he’s going to miss the next game,” head coach Rick Carlisle mentioned.
“We were concerned at halftime, and he insisted on playing. I thought he made a lot of really good things happen in the second half. But he’s not 100%, and there’s a lot of guys in this series that aren’t.”
Haliburton performed 34 minutes in Sport 5 however posted a plus-minus of -13, the second-worst mark on the group.
He completed with seven rebounds, six assists and three turnovers.
“He’s been our rock all year,” ahead Pascal Siakam mentioned of Haliburton. “He’s a big reason why we’re here. I don’t know exactly what’s wrong, but I know he’s fighting and he’s going to give us everything he’s got.”
Backup level guard T.J. McConnell scored 13 factors within the third quarter — together with eight with Haliburton on the bench — however performed solely 4:33 within the fourth.
Haliburton performed a team-high 8:59 within the ultimate quarter.
“It’s the Finals, man,” Haliburton mentioned. “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.”
Monday’s quiet exhibiting continued an uneven Finals for Haliburton, who drilled the game-winner in Sport 1 however is averaging 15.0 factors on 45.3% capturing, 7.2 assists and 4.0 turnovers per recreation within the sequence.
Sport 6 is scheduled for Thursday evening at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the place the Pacers will try to stave off elimination.
“We’ve had our backs against the wall many different times over the last two years, had to figure out different ways to win,” Haliburton mentioned. “The way that this year has gone, nobody said this was going to be sweet.”
