After suffering a strained right calf in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton boldly proclaimed, “If I can walk, then I want to play” when asked about his status for Game 6.
Hours before tip-off, Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed Haliburton’s availability against the Thunder, meaning all eyes would be fixated on how the dazzling playmaker would perform through his ailment.
The answer was a resounding success, as Haliburton’s ability to gut through the discomfort fueled Indiana’s massive 109-91 Game 6 win to force a Game 7 Sunday.
The Sporting News tracked Haliburton’s performance as Indiana staved off elimination and denied Oklahoma City a chance to win the NBA title Thursday.
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Tyrese Haliburton Game 6 stats vs. Thunder
Final score:Â Pacers 108, Thunder 91
- Points:Â 14
- Rebounds: 1
- Assists:Â 5
- Steals:Â 2
- Blocks:Â 0
- TOs:Â 1
- Fouls:Â 1
- FG:Â 5-12Â (41.7%)
- 3FG:Â 3-7Â (42.9%)
- FT:Â 1-1 (100.0%)
Haliburton’s first points of the game came from the charity stripe, as Carlisle selected him as the free-throw shooter for an away-from-the-play foul.Â
While his timing initially looked off, Haliburton settled in and looked increasingly comfortable on the court, getting to his spots and setting up his teammates. He finished the first quarter with four points, one rebound, and an assist
He added eight more points and three assists to the tally in the second, entering the halftime break with 12 points while Indiana comfortably entered the break with a 22-point lead over Oklahoma City.
Haliburton didn’t do much in the second half, but he didn’t need to. Both teams opened the second half on scoring droughts, only the Thunder’s lasted much longer.
Indiana’s defensive efforts set the tone, and it entered the final frame with a 30-point lead, ending Haliburton’s night after just 23 minutes of action.
“Before the game even started, he was locked in,” Obi Toppin said of Haliburton’s game.
“We knew he was going to give 100 [percent] — all he can, until he can’t. And he did amazing today, he kept the train going and led us to a victory.”
MORE THUNDER-PACERS GAME 6:
Tyrese Haliburton highlights Game 6 vs. Thunder
Tyrese Haliburton lets it fly to close out a 22-7 run and force the timeout 🙌 pic.twitter.com/LZpkjutJDU
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 20, 2025
stepback three for Tyrese Haliburton 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jkdOA9AM2b
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 20, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton LAUNCHES his third triple of the half 😤 pic.twitter.com/mxpHm1VBEM
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 20, 2025
WHAT A SEQUENCE 👀
Tyrese Haliburton picks it off and sends a spinning no-look dime cross-court to Pascal Siakam, who absolutely PUNISHES the rim 😱 pic.twitter.com/JNJ4FwyeAc
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 20, 2025
