As the Indiana Pacers prepare for a must-win Game 6 in the NBA Finals, the health of star guard Tyrese Haliburton remains a major question mark. Haliburton is officially listed as questionable after aggravating a left calf strain during Game 5, an injury that has limited his mobility and impacted his performance in recent games. Despite gutting through 34 minutes in Monday night’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton appeared visibly hindered and struggled to make his usual impact.
In Game 5, the All-Star guard failed to score from the field, going 0-for-6 and finishing with just four points. It was a stark contrast to his usual output, and his limited effectiveness highlighted how much the injury has taken a toll. Head coach Rick Carlisle addressed Haliburton’s condition after the game, acknowledging that the team will monitor his recovery closely over the next two days before making a final decision. Carlisle noted that the injury “got worse as the game went on” and emphasized the need to put the player’s long-term health first.
Still, Haliburton has expressed his desire to play, telling reporters, “If I can walk, I want to play.” That determination has defined much of his postseason, where he’s repeatedly fought through pain to keep his team in contention. But with the Pacers now trailing 3–2 in the series and facing elimination, the stakes have never been higher—and neither has the concern about whether Haliburton can continue to push through the injury.
The Pacers return to their home court in Indianapolis for Thursday night’s Game 6, hoping to rally behind their home crowd and extend the series to a decisive Game 7. Whether or not Haliburton suits up could play a key role in the outcome. His leadership, court vision, and playmaking have been central to Indiana’s playoff run, and without him at full strength, the team will need others to step up in a big way.
