The key storyline for NBA Finals Game 6 is the injury status of Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered a right calf injury in Finals Game 5. The injury was a factor in him scoring only four points and going 0-for-6 from the field. Haliburton underwent an MRI on his calf on Tuesday, and is noq a game-time decision for Game 6 on Thursday.
Haliburton’s availability will be crucial if the Pacers want to force a Game 7. Haliburton said he plans to be out there for Game 6, but also said he would miss if it was a regular season game. Based on his Game 5 performance, it seems unlikely that he will be anywhere near 100%.
We'll give you the latest Haliburton injury updates for Game 6, including whether he is playing, who could step up for the Pacers in his place, and Haliburton's projections for Game 6.
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Is Tyrese Haliburton Playing in Game 6?
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle made a comment on 1075 The Fan in Indiana that the Pacers are preparing to play without Haliburton for Game 6, but will still list the All-NBA guard as a game-time decision for Thursday night. Haliburton underwent an MRI on Wednesday to determine the severity of the strain.
In his postgame comments after Game 5, Haliburton stated that as long as he can walk, he’ll play. Being that calf injuries can worsen if there’s added pressure on the muscle, it will be interesting to see how the Pacers will go about their game plan in Game 6 if Haliburton can’t play, and if Haliburton does decide to play, how much of a factor will he be, as he was clearly hampered in Game 5.
Another concern for Haliburton, who has emerged as a legitimate fringe superstar in this NBA Finals, is the potential for the calf injury to create a bigger injury that could leak into next year. With a calf injury, a player is much more likely to rupture their Achilles tendon, which would put him out for most — if not all — of next year, similar to Kevin Durant in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals, when he was a game-time decision, played, then ruptured his Achilles.
The Pacers are down 3-2, which is the first time they have been down in any playoff series this postseason. With Haliburton’s playing status up in the air, the Pacers' depth will have to step up even more. During the regular season, the Pacers were 4-5 when Haliburton didn’t play.
What Pacers Benefit Without Haliburton?
If Haliburton doesn’t play in Game 6, expect the other Pacer guards to have more of a role on the offensive end. If Haliburton doesn’t play in Game 6, T.J. McConnell is the likely favorite start at point guard, also opening more time for other Pacers guards like Ben Sheppard and Bennedict Mathurin off the bench.
McConnell has been a great spark plug off the bench for the Pacers throughout the playoffs, and especially in Game 5. McConnell is averaging 11.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the NBA Finals, while shooting close to 55% from the field all 18.0 minutes per game.
McConnell was a dog in Game 5, keeping the Pacers in it til the final minutes, putting up 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in just 22 minutes.
McConnell has been great both off the bench as the main playmaker when Haliburton isn’t on the court and as a secondary playmaker when the two share the court. In Game 5,
The usage between the two point guards isn’t a major difference. McConnell has actually had a higher usage percentage than Haliburton in both the regular season and postseason. In the NBA Finals, McConnell has a usage percentage of 25.4% in 194 possessions compared to Haliburton’s 21.4% in 366 possessions. We could expect McConnell to potentially shoot more than Haliburton if he starts, though, he likely won't be as effective at facilitiating.
McConnell’s usage rate increases to 27.1% and leads the Pacers in total points at 39 when Haliburton is off the court, and also in total possessions at 128.
Tyrese Haliburton Projections vs. Thunder, Game 6
Although Haliburton is currently questionable, his projections are still available on PrizePicks NBA for Game 6. Keep in mind, Haliburton could be limited, or sit out entirely in Game 6, so it's worth treading lightly on his projections.
- 13.5 Points
- 4 Rebounds
- 7 Assists
- 1.5 3-PT Made (Goblin)
- 5.5 3-PT Attempted
- 25.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- 20.5 Pts+Asts
- 30.5 Fantasy Score
- 0.5 Steals (Goblin)
Make NBA Finals Game 6 Picks on PrizePicks
NBA Finals Game 6 is set for Thursday, June 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET, it’s time to lock in on your picks on player projections on PrizePicks. With the status of Tyrese Haliburton looking like a game-time decision, the Pacers may have to go without their key piece, and try to grind out a win in Indiana to force a Game 7.
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Stay locked in on the Playbook through the NBA Finals for more picks, analysis, and insights for the Pacers vs. Thunder series.
