Tyrese Haliburton’s Injury Looms Large as Pacers Stumble in NBA Finals
It’s tough to see a star fall, especially in the NBA Finals. Tyrese Haliburton, the heartbeat of the Indiana Pacers, is clearly not himself right now. Game 5 in Oklahoma City might go down as one of the most defining moments of this series—not just because of the score, but because Haliburton, the Pacers’ floor general, looked physically compromised.
Right from the first quarter, something felt off. After an awkward fall, Haliburton grabbed at his lower right leg and had to briefly leave the court for treatment. When he returned, wrapped up and visibly laboring, it was clear we weren’t seeing the dynamic playmaker we’ve come to expect. He played 34 minutes, sure, but mostly as a decoy. He didn’t make a single shot from the field, finishing with just four points—all from the free-throw line. That’s unheard of for him, especially in the postseason.
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This isn’t just about one bad game. This is about a lingering lower leg issue that’s been haunting him all series. He was limping after Game 2, downplayed it before Game 3, but the signs were there. He’s been getting treatment, spotted with tape and wraps, trying to gut it out for his team. But the reality is catching up.
What’s worse is the timing. This was the first game in these playoffs where Indiana trailed in a series. They swept through Milwaukee, survived Cleveland, outlasted New York. But now, they’re down 3-2 and heading into an elimination game without a fully healthy Haliburton. For a team that had won 10 straight games after losses until this back-to-back stumble, the pressure just got very real.
Haliburton’s Game 5 stat line was stark—0-for-6 from the field, scoreless at halftime for the first time in his playoff career, and visibly struggling. The Pacers as a team shot just 33% in the first half, turning the ball over ten times. Without Haliburton at full strength, the offensive rhythm disappeared.
This isn't to say he didn't try—he showed heart, staying out there despite the pain. But if Indiana is going to force a Game 7 and keep the dream of their first NBA title alive, they’ll need either a near-miraculous recovery from Haliburton or someone else to take the reins. Pascal Siakam has had solid moments, but this is a team built around Haliburton's creativity and control.
Game 6 is now do-or-die in Indiana. And with Haliburton hobbled, it’s not just about the Xs and Os anymore—it’s about resilience, adaptation, and a bit of hope that their leader can find just enough left in the tank.
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