The Indiana Pacers got overwhelmed by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, derailing Tyrese Haliburton and the team’s chances in the crucial NBA Finals. The Thunder won 120-109, now leading 3-2 in the series, with Haliburton suffering the most.
Haliburton has been the focal point of many vital wins this season, especially this postseason. But an untimely leg injury got the best of him, as he walked off the court, grabbing his leg during the first half. The only streak of performance one could get from him was those four points he scored, all of them from the foul line.
Tyrese Haliburton Puts Up a Brave Face in Front of Injury Scare
While Haliburton took care of some of the most epic comebacks the Pacers have seen in a while, the star guard was scoreless in the first half on Monday. He struggled as he was trying to work through his leg injury that has been bothering him from the beginning of the series.
But the significance of winning a championship supersedes all the doubts and concerns as he played through everything. Hali only had a simple response to why he did what he did.
“I mean it’s the NBA Finals. It’s the Finals man,” Haliburton said. “I’ve worked my whole life to be here, and I want to be out there to compete. Help my teammates in any way I can. I was not great tonight by any means, but it was not really a thought to not play here. If I can walk then I want to play. They understand that. It is what it is, and I’ve got to be ready to go in Game 6.”
“I was not great tonight by any means … If I can walk, then I want to play.”
Tyrese Haliburton on the status of his injury and playing in the second half. pic.twitter.com/vcJyjTmaWs
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 17, 2025
This response just goes to show his brilliance and never-back-down attitude. Even the Pacers’ head coach, Rick Carlisle, backed him up, making it clear that despite the injury, Hali will play in the next game. It’s the efficacy that’s the question here. It was Hali who was adamant about playing and not being taken off the floor.
Hali definitely has every right to be on the floor, all thanks to his clutch performances. Even when he is not at his best, he is a key piece of the Pacers’ championship puzzle.
Apart from the four points, Haliburton also contributed six assists and seven rebounds, while also committing three turnovers.
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Now with Game 6 coming back to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Haliburton will have a support system behind him in Indianapolis. If they can manage to tie the series at 3-3, the road to a possible Game 7 opens up, with Indy still having a chance at victory. This only depends on how healthy and efficient Haliburton feels on Thursday. But if the injury persists, Indy’s chances of winning the title will be somewhat hurt.
