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The uncertainty regarding Tyrese Haliburton’s status for Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV has not deterred the Oklahoma City Thunder and Isaiah Hartenstein.
“We’re getting ready as if he will be on the court. That’s our main focus. It’s the Finals. Just like in the previous series, where players were ill but insisted on playing, we’re proceeding with the mindset that he will participate,” the 27-year-old center stated, adding, “If he can’t go, we’re fully prepared regardless.”
With the Indiana Pacers down 3-2 in this best-of-seven matchup, they face the necessity of securing a victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday to extend the series to a Game 7 at Paycom Center on Sunday.
“If he does play, we’re anticipating a strong performance from him. Indiana is a formidable opponent, and we won’t overlook that,” noted head coach Mark Daigneault. “Whether he is in the lineup or not, we are ready for Indiana’s best effort, especially with them playing at home. We’ll be ready for whatever they bring, both him and the team.”
Haliburton, age 25, has been struggling with a right calf issue in recent days during the Finals.
“I’m hopeful he’ll suit up,” expressed 31-year-old Alex Caruso, who is just one win away from clinching his second NBA championship, having previously won in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
For his part, Hartenstein, a former G League champion, is pursuing his inaugural NBA championship ring.
“The key is to approach it not as just any other game, but not to view it solely as a chance to win a championship. We’re focused on Game 6,” he explained, “We want to play with the same sense of urgency as the Pacers will. That’s crucial for us. We’re not adjusting our mindset, nor are we looking ahead too far. It’s about concentrating on the now. I believe that helps to alleviate any anxiety.”
The Thunder are on the verge of capturing their second NBA championship in the franchise’s history, following their original title win as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.
### Series Scores:
Cleveland Cavaliers–Miami Heat: 4-0 (121-100, 121-112, 124-87, 138-83)
Boston Celtics–Orlando Magic: 4-1 (103-86, 109-100, 93-95, 107-98, 120-89)
New York Knicks–Detroit Pistons: 4-2 (123-112, 94-100, 118-116, 94-93, 103-106, 116-113)
Indiana Pacers–Milwaukee Bucks: 4-1 (117-98, 123-115, 101-117, 129-103, 119-118)
Oklahoma City Thunder–Memphis Grizzlies: 4-0 (131-80, 118-99, 114-108, 117-115)
Houston Rockets–Golden State Warriors: 3-4 (85-95, 109-94, 93-104, 106-109, 131-116, 115-107, 89-103)
Los Angeles Lakers–Minnesota Timberwolves: 1-4 (95-117, 94-85, 104-116, 113-116, 96-103)
Denver Nuggets–Los Angeles Clippers: 4-3 (112-110, 102-105, 83-117, 101-99, 131-115, 105-111, 120-101)
Cleveland Cavaliers–Indiana Pacers: 1-4 (112-121, 119-120, 126-104, 109-129, 105-114)
Boston Celtics–New York Knicks: 2-4 (105-108, 90-91, 115-93, 113-121, 127-102, 81-119)
Oklahoma City Thunder–Denver Nuggets: 4-3 (119-121, 149-106, 104-113, 92-87, 112-105, 107-119, 125-93)
Minnesota Timberwolves–Golden State Warriors: 4-1 (88-99, 117-93, 102-97, 117-110, 121-110)
New York Knicks–Indiana Pacers: 2-4 (135-138, 109-114, 106-100, 121-130, 111-94, 108-125)
Oklahoma City Thunder–Minnesota Timberwolves: 4-1 (114-88, 118-103, 101-143, 128-126, 124-94)
Oklahoma City Thunder–Indiana Pacers: 3-2 (110-111, 123-107, 107-116, 111-104, 120-109)
Stay tuned for more updates and news.
