Tyrese Haliburton confirms presence for NBA Finals Game 7 despite calf injury

The Indiana Pacers can count on their star point guard for Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Tyrese Haliburton, who has been dealing with a right calf injury since Game 5, confirmed he will play Sunday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder in this decisive game.

An injury that could have sidelined him for weeks

There was real concern about Haliburton’s health after his early exit during the first quarter of Game 5. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the severity of the right calf strain would normally have sidelined the player « for several weeks » if it had occurred during the regular season.

Despite this limiting injury, the two-time All-Star insisted on returning to the court during the second period, playing a total of 34 minutes in the Pacers’ 120-109 loss. « This is the NBA Finals. I’ve worked my whole life to be here. There was really no question about me not playing. If I can walk, then I want to play, » he declared after that difficult game where he only scored 4 points.

Coach Rick Carlisle confirmed Wednesday that his player would undergo strength tests before Game 6, noting that Haliburton « is not 100%, that’s pretty clear. But I don’t think he’s going to miss the next game. » The tests proved conclusive, allowing the point guard to play without time restrictions.

A successful Game 6 to force the decider

Haliburton showed up for the crucial Game 6 at home, contributing to the Pacers’ dominant 108-91 victory with 14 points and 5 assists. This remarkable team performance, led by Pascal Siakam (16 points, 13 rebounds), Andrew Nembhard (17 points) and Obi Toppin (20 points), evened the series at 3-3.

The Pacers’ defense particularly shined, forcing 8 turnovers from league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was limited to 21 points. Indiana took the lead in the first period and never looked back, building a 22-point advantage by halftime.

« This will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest game that most of us will ever play in our lives and for our organization from a historical standpoint as well, » Haliburton said Saturday in a press conference. The Pacers, who have never won an NBA title in their history, will have the chance to win their first Larry O’Brien trophy Sunday night in Oklahoma City in the first Finals Game 7 since 2016.