Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle wants to make sure all his bases are covered heading into Game 6 of the NBA Finals. With star Tyrese Haliburton expected to be a game-time decision for that contest, Carlisle will have two game plans, one where Haliburton plays and one where he does not.
Carlisle spoke about his strategy during an appearance on “The Fan Morning Show” on Wednesday. When asked whether Haliburton will practice Wednesday, Carlisle opted to give a more general answer about Haliburton’s status.
“He 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.”
With so much uncertainty surrounding the situation, Carlisle said the Pacers would prepare for both scenarios during their walkthrough Wednesday.
“We have to prepare for two scenarios, one where he plays and one where he does not,” Carlisle said.
Haliburton sustained a right calf injury during the team’s 120-109 loss in Game 5 on Monday. Haliburton was injured in the first quarter of the contest and briefly left the game. He returned to the court and played through the issue, but finished with just four points after going 0-for-6 from the field. It was easily his worst game of the playoffs.
Following the contest, Haliburton said he intends to play in Game 6 on Thursday. “If I can walk, then I want to play,” he told reporters.
It’s unclear whether he’ll be allowed to do that. Haliburton reportedly needed an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. The Pacers could opt to hold him out of Game 6 depending on the result of that MRI.
If Haliburton is unable to play, it would be quite the blow for the Pacers. Haliburton has averaged 17.9 points, 9.1 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in the playoffs this season. He’s hit multiple clutch shots to propel the Pacers to victory in tight games.
Rushing Haliburton back to the court could prove to be a costly mistake as well. An ineffective Haliburton could prove to be a liability on both sides of the floor, and the Pacers can’t afford to risk a more significant, long-term injury to their star player.
That puts the Pacers — and Carlisle — in an extremely difficult spot with the season on the line Thursday.
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