Pacers Trailed 3-2 in NBA Finals After Haliburton Injury, Game 5 Loss

Tyrese Haliburton played through a painful lower right leg injury during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, where the Indiana Pacers lost 120-109 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, falling behind 3-2 in the series. Despite his injury, Haliburton logged 34 minutes but managed only four points from free throws, marking his lowest scoring playoff performance and the first time he was scoreless at halftime in his 36-game playoff career. The Pacers, who battled back from an 18-point deficit, struggled with turnovers, committing 23 that led to 32 Thunder points, which coach Rick Carlisle identified as a critical problem. Indiana now faces a do-or-die Game 6 at home, needing a victory to force a decisive Game 7 and keep their championship hopes alive. Carlisle acknowledged Haliburton was not at full strength but expected him to play, emphasizing the importance of every player's effort in this lifetime opportunity. The Pacers' chances hinge heavily on Haliburton's health and ability to contribute effectively against a Thunder team led by standout performances from Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.