The Pacers lost 120-109 against lightning in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals. They are down 3-2 to Oklahoma City heading for Game 6 on Thursday evening.
During Monday night’s defeat, Pacers’ all-star PG Tyrees Halliburton gave a terrible offensive performance. He finished 0-6 from the field with four points. Following the loss in Game 5, it was announced that Halliburton is dealing with calf injuries. It is still unclear whether the 25-year-old will be available in Game 6. Will the Indiana Pacers have a chance to win Thursday night without Halliburton if he is not available?
Tyrees Halliburton’s status in Game 6 is in question due to a calf injury
Thailand’s biggest concerns playing through “calf tension”
Calf Strains -> Weak Calf = Achilles Risk pic.twitter.com/ardefhbotf
– Dr. Evangeffrey, DPT (@gameinjurydoc) June 17, 2025
The Indiana Pacers turn their backs against the wall Thursday night. Oklahoma City has a 3-2 series lead and wants to close it in Game 6. It was a magical run for Pacer in the 2025 playoffs. Despite playing last season’s conference finals, no one chose the Pacers again in 2025. Not to mention creating the NBA Finals and fighting teams like Thunder. Indiana plays removal games on Thursday evening.
If they lose, the Thunder will win the 2025 NBA Finals. The Pacers desperately need a victory to force Game 7 this Sunday. With 9:24 remaining in the second quarter of Game 5, Pacers Tyrese Haliburton felt a tension in his right calf. Dr. Evan Jeffries explained why he believes Halliburton has dealt with the injury since Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Jeffries explained that the Pacers first dominated the injury as an ankle injury. However, Jeffries thought the injury had more to do with the Halliburton calves.
Tyrese Halliburton on calf injury heading into Game 6:
“It’s the final. I worked my whole life to come here… If I can walk, I can play.”
(via @TonyRreast)) pic.twitter.com/y9lyeyfg5q
– Legionhoops (@legionhoops) June 17, 2025
NBA insider Shams Charania said Tyreese Halliburton had an MRI to determine the severity of his injury. After losing Game 5, Halliburton told the media, “If you can walk, you can play.” We need to wait to see if Indiana feels the same. If your calves are weak, you risk injuring Achilles. This is what the Pacers need at this point in the season. If Halliburton is not available, will the Pacers have a chance to win?
If Halliburton is not available, head coach Rick Carlisle will need to fine-tune Indiana’s starting lineup. The TJ McConnell is a backup PG, but it’s more valuable from the bench of the pacer. You can insert Bennedict Mathurin or Ben Sheppard into your starting lineup. Pascal Siakam will bear the scoring load for Indiana. He must have one of the best playoff games of his career to break the lightning without Tyrees Halliburton. Game 6 will be EST on Thursdays at 8:30pm.
