Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Believed To Have Calf Strain, Will Undergo MRI

Tyrese Haliburton just wasn’t himself in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, and now, the Indiana Pacers must win two straight to be crowned champions.

One more loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, however, and it’s lights out.

Now, the Pacers could have to do it without Haliburton, who is believed to have suffered a right calf strain, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Haliburton will undergo an MRI ahead of Game 6 in Indianapolis.

He finished Game 5 with just four points on 0-of-6 shooting. He was clearly compromised when it came to his movement.

Afterward, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told reporters that the team was “concerned at halftime,” but Haliburton wanted to continue. The issue? He couldn’t create the type of pressure that normally fuels Indiana’s pace.

“It’s the Finals,” Haliburton said. “I’ve worked my whole life to be here and I want to be out there to compete, help my teammates any way I can. I was not great tonight by any means, but it’s not really a thought of mine to not play here.

“If I can walk, then I want to play.”