It’s do-or-die time for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals, and the good news is Game 6 is at home. The bad news? Tyrese Haliburton has a right calf injury.
Coach Rick Carlisle said Haliburton will be a game-time decision. Haliburton suggested he’s mentally ready to go. Physically, though, it may be a different story.
“I have to understand the risks, ask the right questions,” Haliburton told reporters. “But I’m a competitor. I want to play. I’m going to do everything in my power to play.”
The Pacers trail the series vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder by a 3-2 count. So Indiana must win two in a row … or else. The next chance comes Thursday night.
Haliburton has been pretty good in the series, his game-winning shot in Game 1 undoubtedly going down in Pacers lore. But he was ineffective in Game 5, failing to hit a field goal on his way to four points. Clearly, he was compromised by the injury.
An MRI on Tuesday confirmed he is suffering a strained right calf.
“I have a lot of trust in our medical staff. I have a lot of trust in our organization to make the right decision,” Haliburton said. “I think there’s been many situations through the course of my career where they’ve trusted me on my body. … I want to be out there. That’s the plan.”
In the event Haliburton is ruled out, the offense will be directed primarily by backup T.J. McConnell.
“He is another ball handler, someone that can get us to our spots, push the pace,” Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said of McConnell. “He played great last game. He is going to be huge for us going forward, too.”
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