Indianapolis, IN – In a defiant stand that embodied the spirit of his team, Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton delivered a courageous performance in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, playing through a painful calf injury to spark a decisive 108-91 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse denied the Thunder their first championship opportunity and pushed the thrilling series to a winner-take-all Game 7, the first in the NBA Finals since 2016.
The pivotal Game 7 is now set for Sunday night, returning to Oklahoma City, where the heavily favored Thunder boast a formidable home record.
Playing Through Pain: Haliburton’s Risky Decision
Haliburton’s availability for the crucial elimination game was uncertain leading up to tip-off. He had suffered a right calf strain in the Game 5 loss, visibly struggling and finishing with a rare four points on 0-of-6 shooting. The injury added a new layer of concern, particularly as he had also dealt with an ankle issue on the same leg earlier in the series.
Despite the discomfort, which he acknowledged would likely sideline him for weeks in a regular season scenario, Haliburton was determined to play. He underwent extensive, “around-the-clock” treatment since sustaining the injury, including hyperbaric therapy, massage, needles, electronic stimulation, and specialized taping – doing “everything I’m told” to prepare. Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle noted Haliburton passed a “strength test,” confirming his status but acknowledging the need to monitor him closely.
The decision came with inherent risks. Commentators drew parallels to Kevin Durant’s 2019 injury, where a calf strain preceded a torn Achilles, highlighting the potential severity of playing through such ailments. Yet, Haliburton’s competitive drive and desire to be on the court for the NBA Finals – something he’s “worked my whole life to be here” for – outweighed the personal discomfort. His mantra was clear: “If I can walk, then I want to play.”
Pacers Overcome Early Deficit Fueled by Haliburton’s Spark
With their season on the line, the Pacers started tentatively, missing their first eight shots and quickly falling into a 10-2 hole. However, a crucial early timeout allowed Indiana to regroup, erasing the deficit within minutes.
Despite his calf limiting his typical explosiveness, Haliburton provided a much-needed spark. After a quiet start following his Game 5 struggles, he ignited the Pacers’ dominant second quarter. In a pivotal stretch, he nabbed a steal that led to an Aaron Nesmith corner three, drilled a three-pointer of his own, and finished a difficult left-handed runner in the paint. His impact was perhaps best illustrated by a no-look transition pass off another steal, finding Pascal Siakam for a dunk that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Haliburton’s ability to make these high-energy plays, even when physically compromised, was crucial. He finished with 14 points and five assists in 23 minutes, his limited playing time in the blow-out win potentially aiding his recovery time for Game 7. “Energy plays are important,” Haliburton commented on the sequence culminating in Siakam’s dunk, calling it a moment that could be “remembered for a long time” if the Pacers ultimately win the title.
It wasn’t just Haliburton. The Pacers showcased a balanced attack and total team effort (as noted by Haliburton), especially in the second quarter where they outscored the Thunder 36-17. Obi Toppin led the team with 20 points off the bench, while Siakam added 16 points and 13 rebounds, capping the first half blitz with a turnaround jumper at the buzzer to give Indiana a commanding 64-42 halftime lead.
Thunder’s Uncharacteristic Struggles
Conversely, the Oklahoma City Thunder endured a night to forget. Needing just one win to secure the championship, they struggled significantly on offense. Poor shooting, particularly from three-point range (a mere 8-for-30), and an uncharacteristic 21 turnovers plagued their performance.
MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an off night, committing a playoff career-high eight turnovers as he struggled to navigate the Pacers’ defensive schemes. While he and Jalen Williams combined for 31 first-half points, the rest of the team managed just 11 points on dismal 5-for-18 shooting. The offensive imbalance and sloppiness were too much to overcome. Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault called it a “very poor performance,” citing offensive stagnation. Gilgeous-Alexander owned the result, stating, “We got exactly what we deserved.”
The Thunder’s offensive struggles were exacerbated by their inability to handle the Pacers’ energy and defensive pressure on the road, impacting their typically fluid ball movement. Haliburton’s injury also forced the Pacers into a slower half-court game, which ironically often plays into the hands of the Thunder’s top-ranked defense, highlighting how far off their execution was.
With the Pacers’ lead ballooning to 31 points, Daigneault opted to rest his starters for the entire fourth quarter, an early concession allowing both teams to begin focusing on the ultimate prize.
Winner Takes All: Game 7 Showdown
The stage is now set for a dramatic conclusion. While the Thunder endured an unnerving no-show in Game 6, they possess a strong track record of bouncing back, holding an impressive 18-2 record after a loss this season, including 6-0 in the playoffs. Two of those playoff victories came against the Pacers.
Returning home to the Paycom Center, where they boast a league-best 39-6 regular season record and are 10-2 in the postseason, gives Oklahoma City a significant advantage. However, the Pacers, fueled by Haliburton’s courageous return and a renewed belief after a dominant Game 6, are ready for the monumental challenge.
“One game,” Carlisle stated simply. “This is what you dream about growing up… We’re playing the best team on the planet. They’ve proven that the entire year. We’ve got to play at such a high level to have a chance.”
For Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers, the journey isn’t over yet. Despite the injury, the goal remains clear: one more win to cap a never-say-die playoff run and capture the NBA championship.
