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Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton will play Thursday evening in a must-win NBA Finals Sport 6 in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, coach Rick Carlisle informed reporters pregame. Haliburton is coping with a calf harm suffered in Sport 5 on Monday. The Pacers path the Thunder, 3-2, and must drive a Sport 7 to proceed the sequence.Haliburton went by way of the crew’s walkthrough, underwent varied power exams and won’t have a minutes restriction, although he might be monitored “intently,” Carlisle mentioned.
Pacers vs. Thunder prediction, odds, Sport 6 greatest bets: Can Indy preserve it shut with Tyrese Haliburton injured?
Sam Quinn
Haliburton, the driving drive behind Indiana’s stunning postseason run, struggled noticeably within the Sport 5 loss. He completed with simply 4 factors and did not make a single area purpose. Regardless of the off evening, Haliburton has averaged 17.9 factors and 9.1 assists in the course of the playoffs and delivered the game-winning jumper to raise the Pacers to a Sport 1 victory within the Finals.Within the first quarter of Sport 5, Haliburton appeared to tweak his leg whereas driving to the basket in opposition to Thunder heart Chet Holmgren. After falling to the ground and turning the ball over, Haliburton instantly reached for his calf. He exited the sport shortly after and was later recognized with calf tightness, although he did return to the courtroom later within the contest.
“He’s going to be rigorously evaluated over the following 36 hours and can possible be listed as questionable on the harm report and possibly might be a game-time resolution for Sport 6,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle informed an Indianapolis radio station on Wednesday morning.Haliburton made it clear he supposed to push by way of the calf harm, signaling his need to play regardless of the setback.
“I imply it is the NBA Finals,” Haliburton mentioned after the Sport 5 loss. “It is the Finals. I’ve labored my entire life to be right here. It was probably not a considered mine to not play right here. If I can stroll, then I need to play.”