Indiana Pacers: NBA Champion Shares What Haliburton Needs to do in Game 3 2 Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton Sends Clear Message on His Availability Ahead of Game 6

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 6:10 AM ET

Tyrese Haliburton reportedly dealt with a calf injury during the Indiana Pacers’ 120-109 Game 5 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he doesn’t want to use it as an excuse for his poor performance.

The two-time NBA All-Star only had four points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and missed all six shots from the field. Haliburton said during the postgame press conference that he plans to play through pain in Game 6 this Thursday.

“I mean, it’s the NBA Finals,” Haliburton told reporters via Scott Agness. “It’s the Finals — I’ve worked my whole life to be here. It was not really a thought of mine to not play here. If I can walk, then I want to play.”

Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton Gets 100% Honest on His New Nickname 5 Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Haliburton’s calf injury has been a nagging issue throughout the NBA Finals. The Indiana Pacers star was seen limping after Game 2, then said before Game 3 that it was only a minor issue. He played with a wrap on his lower leg for much of Game 5 after leaving for the locker room in the first period.

Indiana Pacers News: Rick Carlisle gets 100% honest on Tyrese Haliburton’s leg injury

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle admitted that Tyrese Haliburton was not 100 percent fit in Game 5. However, he commended his point guard for playing through it and expects him to do the same in Game 6.

LOOK: Tyrese Haliburton Gets Petty, Slams Toxic Knicks Fans With Highlights Montage 2 May 31, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) looks on in the third quarter during game six of the eastern conference finals against the New York Knicks for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

“We were concerned at halftime, and he insisted on playing,” Carlisle said about Haliburton. “I thought he made a lot of really good things happen in the second half. But he’s not 100%. There’s a lot of guys in the series that aren’t.”

“He’s a fighter,” Pascal Siakam added. “He’s been our rock all year. He’s a big reason why we’re here. I don’t know exactly what’s wrong, but I know he’s fighting and he’s going to give us everything he’s got.”