NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton surged into the passing lane to snag a steal, carefully maneuvered along the sideline, and executed a no-look pass to Pascal Siakam, who completed the play with a dunk over two defenders from Oklahoma City.
Afterward, he took a moment to exchange high-fives with supporters in the stands.
Not too shabby for someone nursing an injury.
In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Haliburton’s evening concluded earlier than anticipated — and that turned out to be a significant advantage for the Indiana Pacers. Battling a strained right calf, he managed to score 14 points in just 23 minutes, leading the Pacers to a decisive 108-91 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, thus forcing a Game 7 (scheduled for Sunday at 8 PM ET on ABC).
Haliburton’s steal led to an impressive no-look pass to Siakam, who effortlessly dunked over Jalen Williams.
Throughout the series, Haliburton has been contending with lower leg troubles, and the calf strain intensified during Game 5 on Monday. Despite playing through the pain in the latter half of that defeat against the Thunder, he largely ceased to shoot in the second half.
On Thursday, he missed his initial four attempts. Then, remarkably, he found his rhythm again. With his signature jumps, swift cuts, shots from long range, and acrobatic twists, he resembled a completely different player than the one who limped off the court in Game 5, seemingly dragging his right leg behind him.
His mere presence on the court was a boost for the Pacers. Coach Rick Carlisle noted that Haliburton participated in a walkthrough on Thursday afternoon along with strength assessments, passing all required evaluations.
With the Pacers on the brink of elimination in Game 6 and trailing 3-2 in the championship series, Haliburton — who had recently engaged in shooting practice just before Carlisle confirmed his participation — was determined to give it a go.
“He’s going to play, end of story,” Carlisle stated.
The Thunder were not taken by surprise.
“He’s an exceptional player,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said before the match. “One thing we understand is the importance of not underestimating great players. In this context, we anticipate him bringing his best performance. Indiana is a formidable team. We’re ready for their strongest effort. I have no doubt he’s working through some challenges, but we expect him to perform like a top-tier player.”
Daigneault, to his disappointment, couldn’t have been more accurate.
Haliburton admitted on Wednesday that, if it were the regular season, he likely would not have attempted to play through such an injury.
“I need to be as prudent as possible,” Haliburton remarked. “I must recognize the risks and ask the right questions. I’m a competitor at heart, and I want to play. I will do everything in my ability to be on the court. That’s simply how it is.”
Last season, he missed the concluding two matches of the playoffs due to a hamstring injury, sidelined during Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the eventual champions, the Boston Celtics. The Pacers suffered narrow losses in both games without Haliburton, who later joined the team that earned a gold medal for the United States at the Paris Olympics later that same year.
Since Monday evening, Haliburton has been undergoing various treatments: hyperbaric sessions, acupuncture, massages, electrical stimulation, and even specialized taping. He’s been actively involved in rehabilitation almost around the clock with hopes of making an appearance.
“I have immense faith in our medical team and our organization to make the right choices,” Haliburton stated on Wednesday. “There have been many instances throughout my career where they’ve relied on my input regarding my health. I want to be out there. That’s the objective.”
A solid objective indeed.
Haliburton has repeatedly stepped up for the Pacers in crucial moments during these playoffs.
His buzzer-beater jumper with just 0.3 seconds remaining in Game 1 of the finals became an iconic moment, securing a 111-110 victory over the heavily favored Thunder.
On April 29, against the Milwaukee Bucks, it was a layup with 1.4 seconds remaining that capped off a comeback from a seven-point deficit within the last 34.6 seconds of overtime, leading to a 119-118 win. On May 6 in Cleveland, he hit a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left, sealing a 120-119 victory after rallying from seven points down in the final 48 seconds. At Madison Square Garden on May 21, he drilled a jumper as time expired, pushing the game into overtime, which the Pacers eventually won.
Thursday’s game didn’t require any last-minute heroics from him, but his performance still delivered plenty of excitement.
