Pacers Near NBA Finals Elimination Without Injured Tyrese Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers' star point guard, struggled significantly in Game 5 of the NBA Finals due to a left calf injury, failing to make a single field goal and scoring only four points. Despite the injury, Haliburton plans to play in Game 6, which is critical for the Pacers as they trail 3-2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged that Haliburton is not fully healthy but expects him to participate in the upcoming game, emphasizing his importance to the team’s offense. The Pacers' performance without Haliburton has been markedly worse, highlighting his role as the team's offensive leader. There is concern that playing through the injury could worsen his condition, potentially jeopardizing the Pacers' championship hopes. Meanwhile, teammates and fans continue to support Haliburton, recognizing his resilience and prior playoff contributions amid the pressure to lead the team to victory.