
INDIANAPOLIS–The Indiana Pacers have listed Pacer guard Tyrese Haliburton as questionable for Game 6 of the NBA Finals, which is set for Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Haliburton has a strained right calf. The injury bothered him early in the first half of Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder when the Pacers lost 120-109 and Haliburton only finished with four points. Oklahoma City leads the Finals 3-2 with the first to 4 wins getting the NBA championship.
Haliburton practiced on Wednesday.
“I did what I could. I’ve been doing around the clock stuff as much as I can whether it’s needles, massage, hyperbaric, h-wave, just a bunch of different things trying to get it feeling as good as I can going into it,” said Haliburton at a Wednesday media availability.
Haliburton went on to say that he is a competitor and wants to play in the game.
“But I also know that I have to understand the risks,” Haliburton acknowledged.
After letting people know about Haliburton’s injury, Pacer Head Coach Rick Carlisle said he’s looking forward to a great showing from the Pacers home crowd in Game 6.
“What we need to do is buckle down and stand strong for them,” said Carlisle.
He can’t give a definitive timeline as to when they’ll know if Haliburton can play.
“We will not really know until late tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon or early evening,” said Carlisle.
Pacer backup guard TJ McConnell kept the Pacers in the Game in Game 5 with 18 points off the bunch until the Thunder pulled away. He was also asked about Haliburton’s injury.
“Whatever happens, we support him no matter what. We’ll play extra hard for him,” said McConnell on Wednesday.
Tipoff Thursday night is at 8:30 pm. If the Pacers win, they would force a Game 7 to be played Sunday in Oklahoma City.