Haliburton’s Injury Cloud: Pacers Face Elimination
The Indiana Pacers face a critical Game 6 in the 2025 NBA Finals, with Tyrese Haliburton‘s health casting a shadow over their championship hopes. His apparent right leg injury in Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder significantly impacted his performance, raising doubts about his availability and effectiveness.
The Game-Altering Injury
In Game 5, held in Ololama City, the Indiana Pacers suffered a 120-109 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This loss put the Pacers behind 3-2 in the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton‘s performance was notably subdued, raising questions about his fitness.
He left the court near the end of the first quarter with an apparent leg injury, later returning with his right calf wrapped in ice. While he played in the second half, his impact was limited. This lack of production from Haliburton was a major turning point in the game.
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“He’s a fighter. He’s been our rock all year. He’s a big reason why we’re here. I don’t know exactly what’s wrong, but I know he’s fighting and he’s going to give us everything he’s got. We are 100% behind him and we support him.”
—Pascal Siakam, Pacers Player
Turnovers, a significant issue for the Pacers in Game 5, directly led to points for the Thunder. The Thunder converted 23 turnovers into 32 points, illustrating the impact of these mistakes on the game’s outcome. The average NBA team commits around 13.8 turnovers per game during the regular season (NBA.com, 2024-2025 Season).
The Impact and Aftermath
Haliburton‘s struggles in Game 5, coupled with his uncertain physical condition, are now the focus as the Pacers prepare for a crucial Game 6. His ability to start strong has been questioned, given his typical late-game heroics. The team will need to improve their overall performance in the game.
The conversations surrounding Haliburton have shifted to his leg injury, after some soreness in his ankle in previous games. The concerns about a potential Achilles injury linger, adding another layer of tension to the Pacers’ situation.