Tyrese Haliburton was clearly playing through pain in Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, and some new information about his injury has now surfaced.
Haliburton is dealing with a strained right calf, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Pacers star is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.
Haliburton had to have his right calf muscle treated during the first half of Indiana’s 120-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. He was dealing with soreness in his calf, which developed after he had hurt his ankle earlier in the series.
Haliburton has been banged up for most of the NBA Finals, as he was also seen limping after Game 2 of the series.
The leg injury appeared to impact Haliburton in Game 5, as he went 0/6 from the field. His only points came via four free throws.
Haliburton said on Monday that he intends to play in Game 6 on Thursday night. That is now a must-win for the Pacers, who trail 3-2 in the series.
“I was not great tonight by any means, but … if I can walk then I wanna play,” Haliburton said after Game 5.
Haliburton has been a hero for the Pacers on several occasions during the playoffs. Even if he plays, it will be incredibly difficult for Indiana to win back-to-back games against the Thunder with their best player injured.
