Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with a right calf strain, but he is determined to play in Thursday’s must-win Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Haliburton will undergo testing on Thursday and will be evaluated over the next 36 hours.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said that Haliburton will go through the day tomorrow before the team’s prep session, where they will conduct testing to determine whether he plays or not. If Haliburton is unable to play, the Pacers have a plan in place, with guard T.J. McConnell potentially taking on a starting role.
Haliburton has been using various treatments, including hyperbaric chambers and massage, to aid his recovery from the injury. Despite the risk of further damage, Haliburton wants to play and is willing to do whatever it takes to be on the court.
The Pacers’ star player had previously dealt with a lower right leg injury throughout the series, which worsened during Monday’s Game 5 loss. If Haliburton cannot play, the team will need to find another way to overcome their struggles against the Thunder.
Haliburton averaged 15.0 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in the first five games of the series, but failed to make a field goal in 34 minutes during Game 5 despite playing with an injury. The team’s next move will depend on Haliburton’s status for Game 6.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45537753/tyrese-haliburton-likely-game-call-carlisle-says