Tyrese Haliburtons Tough Decision: Playing Through Injury in Game 6 of NBA Finals
The Indiana Pacers' star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, will take the court in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, despite suffering a right calf strain in the team's 120-109 loss in Game 5 on Monday. The Pacers currently trail the series 3-2, with the winner-take-all showdown set for Thursday night in Indianapolis.
Head coach Rick Carlisle has confirmed that Haliburton, who was a game-time decision entering Thursday, will not be on a minutes restriction in the crucial game. The two-time NBA All-Star wore a gray sock/compression sleeve on his lower right leg while getting shots up just a few hours before the 8:30 p.m. tipoff.
Carlisle told reporters that Haliburton was strength tested at 5 p.m. and did well, adding that "He's going to play" and will start the game. "We'll monitor his situation very closely and very carefully," he said. "We don't know the exact number of minutes, but there's not been a minutes limit that's been put forth by our medical people."
Haliburton played through the injury in Game 5 and made it clear postgame that he'd turn over every stone to be on the court in Indianapolis Thursday night, with the Pacers' season and NBA championship hopes on the line. "If I can walk, then I want to play," he told reporters at the time.
Haliburton doubled down on that statement Wednesday, saying, "I have to understand the risks, ask the right questions. But I’m a competitor. I want to play. I’m going to do everything in my power to play."
This season, Haliburton has averaged 17.9 points, 9.1 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in the playoffs. His impact, however, is even greater than his numbers suggest. In addition to orchestrating the Pacers' run-and-gun offense, he's hit an array of jaw-dropping shots this postseason, including a game-winner to start the NBA Finals.
The Pacers will need Haliburton at his best if they are to avoid elimination and force a Game 7 in Oklahoma City. The two-time NBA All-Star will undoubtedly give it his all in his quest to help the Pacers extend their season and capture their first NBA championship.
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