Pacers coach admits bleak scenario regarding Haliburton injury
Rick Carlisle has spoken about the possibility of seeing Tyrese Haliburton in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Tyrese Haliburton’s name is on everyone’s lips ahead of Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Championship Finals. The Pacers find themselves trailing 3–2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and to make matters worse, the news surrounding the injured Haliburton is far from ideal.
The 25-year-old aggravated a calf injury in the previous game, and according to reports, an MRI scheduled for the player.
Now, it seems the team is preparing for the do-or-die game without him, as their head coach has revealed.
Haliburton getting shots up before Game 6 tomorrow 💪 pic.twitter.com/EXwXEJI3nR
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2025
Carlisle makes stark admission about Haliburton’s progress
Speaking to Indianapolis radio station 107.5 The Fan, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said that Haliburton “is going to be carefully evaluated over the next 36 hours and will likely be listed as questionable on the injury report, and probably will be a game-time decision for Game 6,” adding, “we have to prepare for two scenarios: one where he plays and one where he does not.”
ESPN reports that “if Haliburton cannot play, it would seem likely that the Pacers would promote guard T.J. McConnell to a starting role,” with Carlisle admitting, “depending on the situation tomorrow, we may need him for significantly more minutes.”
While Haliburton had a sensational 2024–25 regular season—averaging 20.1 points, 10.9 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 40.2% from three-point range—his postseason performances, and the toll the injury has taken, have clearly impacted his effectiveness.
After Game 5, Haliburton made clear his ambition to play: “I mean, it’s the NBA Finals. It’s the Finals, man. 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. They understand that. And it is what it is. Got to be ready to go for Game 6.”
BREAKING: Rick Carlisle says the Pacers are preparing to play Game 6 without Tyrese Haliburton, h/t @esidery
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 18, 2025
His official status will be determined tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/O3FyPB2N8F
The Indiana Pacers return home to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on June 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game is scheduled for 5:30 PM Pacific Time – which is 8:30 PM Eastern Time.
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