The Indiana Pacers face a do-or-die Game 6 tonight at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with their NBA Finals hopes hanging in the balance, and all eyes are on their star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
After suffering a right calf strain in Monday’s Game 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton’s availability for tonight’s crucial contest has been the dominant storyline heading into what could be the final game of the season. The Pacers trail 3-2 in the series and desperately need their All-Star floor general at full strength to force a Game 7.
Is Tyrese Haliburton Playing Tonight in Game 6?
The latest injury report has Haliburton listed as probable for Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to NBA.com. And, just a few moments ago, the Pacers announced that he will play tonight.
Tyrese Haliburton (right calf strain) will play tonight, per Coach Carlisle. pic.twitter.com/goQS6o01cD
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 19, 2025
The designation comes after Haliburton grabbed at his lower right leg after an awkward fall in the first quarter of Game 5.
Despite briefly leaving for treatment, Haliburton gutted through the remainder of Monday’s contest, though his effectiveness was severely compromised. The typically dynamic guard managed just four points on 0-for-6 shooting, including 0-for-4 from three-point range, while adding seven rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes.
It marked his lowest scoring output of the entire postseason and came at the worst possible time for Indiana.
Earlier in the day on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Shams Charania said Haliburton has every intention to play in Game 6, providing a glimmer of hope for Pacers fans leading into the evening.
Coach Rick Carlisle has been cautiously optimistic leading up to the game, indicating the team would prepare for both scenarios – with and without their floor general.
Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher for Indiana
The timing of Haliburton’s injury couldn’t be worse for a Pacers team that has already dropped two straight games after holding a 2-1 series lead. This is the first time that the Pacers have lost back-to-back games in these playoffs, putting them in unfamiliar territory at the most critical juncture of their season.
The Thunder, led by Jalen Williams’ explosive 40-point performance in Game 5 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistent excellence, have seized control of the series.
For Indiana to extend their championship hopes, they’ll need significant contributions from their supporting cast, regardless of Haliburton’s availability.
Pascal Siakam has emerged as the team’s most consistent offensive threat, scoring 28 points in Game 5, while veteran T.J. McConnell provided a spark off the bench with 18 points. However, the Pacers’ alarming 22 turnovers in Game 5, 15 of which came via Thunder steals, exposed their vulnerability without a fully healthy Haliburton orchestrating the offense.
Tyrese Haliburton (calf strain) good to go for GAME 6!
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>MUST-WIN @Pacers @WISHNews8 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/gxJO7P4aQn— Anthony Calhoun (@ACwishtv) June 19, 2025
The oddsmakers have installed Oklahoma City as 4.5-point road favorites for tonight’s potential clincher, reflecting concerns about Haliburton’s effectiveness even if he does suit up. Throughout these playoffs, Haliburton has averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 assists, and 5.2 rebounds while serving as the emotional leader and primary playmaker for this overachieving Pacers squad.
If Haliburton ends up being significantly limited due to tweaking his calf again, the Pacers will need to dig deep into their reserves of resilience that carried them through the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse will undoubtedly provide an electric atmosphere, but Indiana’s championship dreams may ultimately rest on whether their star guard can overcome his calf injury and deliver when it matters most.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET, with the Thunder looking to capture their first NBA title in franchise history while the Pacers fight to keep their magical postseason run alive.
