Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton will probably be a game-time resolution for Thursday’s must-win NBA Finals Sport 6 in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, head coach Rick Carlisle mentioned Wednesday.
Haliburton is coping with a calf harm sustained in Sport 5 and will probably be “rigorously evaluated” over the following 36 hours. Carlisle, talking on an area radio present, mentioned Haliburton will probably be listed as questionable on the harm report because the crew screens his standing forward of the matchup.
Carlisle mentioned Indiana should put together for 2 eventualities concerning Haliburton’s well being: “One the place he performs and one the place he doesn’t.” If Haliburton is unavailable for Sport 6, the Pacers would probably rely extra on starter Andrew Nembhard and backup level guard T.J. McConnell as their major ball-handlers. McConnell is coming off a powerful efficiency in Sport 5. The 33-year-old scored 18 factors in 22 minutes, together with 13 within the third quarter to maintain Indiana inside hanging distance.
“That’s simply form of who he’s,” mentioned Carlisle, who’s coached McConnell over the previous 4 years. “He was nice within the third quarter and the early fourth. And relying on the scenario (Thursday), we might have him for considerably extra minutes.”
#Pacers HC Rick Carlisle says on @MorningShow1075 that Tyrese Haliburton (calf) will probably be “rigorously evaluated.” Carlisle added that Haliburton will probably be questionable on the harm report and a game-time resolution for tomorrow’s Sport 6. https://t.co/2VhDwlkt0J
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 18, 2025
The Pacers path the collection 3-2 and want a win at dwelling to pressure a decisive Sport 7. Haliburton, who’s been the driving pressure behind Indiana’s finals run, struggled in Sport 5, ending with simply 4 factors and no made area targets. He initially exited the sport after grabbing at his calf after driving to the basket in opposition to Thunder heart Chet Holmgren within the first quarter. Although he returned later with a prognosis of calf tightness, Carlisle admitted the All-Star guard wasn’t at full energy.
“He’s not one hundred pc, it’s fairly clear,” Carlisle mentioned postgame. “We have been involved at halftime and he insisted on enjoying. I assumed he nonetheless did some good issues within the second half.”
Haliburton, averaging 17.9 factors and 9.1 assists within the playoffs, has seen his averages drop within the finals to fifteen factors, 6.2 rebounds and seven.2 assists.
“That is the NBA Finals,” Haliburton mentioned. “I’ve labored my entire life to get right here. If I can stroll, I need to play.”
It is a creating story. Extra to come back.
(Picture: Maddie Meyer / Getty Photographs)
