While Tyrese Haliburton is playing in Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals, he may not be at 100%.
The Pacers’ star point guard first signaled that he was dealing with a potential injury after Sunday’s Game 2 against the Thunder, appearing to walk with a limp as he exited his press conference.
Since then, Haliburton has downplayed the injury, but some further reporting and social media speculation have put a bigger focus on his health moving forward.
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Here’s the latest on Haliburton’s potential injury, including what he’s said about it and what fans on social media have speculated.
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What’s wrong with Tyrese Haliburton?
After Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Haliburton walked into his postgame press conference with a limp, which a few reporters noticed. When he exited, video was captured of him walking gingerly, as if he were in pain:
Tyrese Haliburton with a noticeable, slight limp arriving and leaving his press conference. pic.twitter.com/nJkqxwPBoj
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) June 9, 2025
On Tuesday, Haliburton then explained that the reason for his limp was a “lower leg thing.”
“I’m fine. Really just a lower leg thing. I’ll leave it at that,” Haliburton said, per Scott Agness. “I don’t think there’s anything more to elaborate. I feel fine and I’ll be ready to go for Game 3.”
With Haliburton not appearing on the Pacers’ injury report — and with him not giving any further context into what part of his leg was in pain — there was plenty of speculation that grew on social media. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported before Game 3 that Haliburton was dealing with an “ankle issue” and soreness but was still expected to be a full-go for the Finals.
The ESPN clip from Charania’s report also showed how the Pacers star was wearing tape in the area of his right foot, with it stretching vertically from his ankle.
“He’s got that tape on that leg,” Charania said. “[The Pacers] will be keeping a close eye, as fans will, tonight in Game 3.”
Reporting for ESPN NBA Countdown on Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s “lower leg thing” ahead of Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder: pic.twitter.com/emaJf2jqSP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 11, 2025
Here’s another look at the tape on Haliburton’s right leg:
Haliburton moving fine at end of practice today. Has a strip of KT tape on back of lower leg, says he’s fine. #Pacers pic.twitter.com/dhlWZ4423l
— Tom Lewis (@IndyCornrows) June 10, 2025
As is usually the case when details on injuries across the NBA are hard to come by, some fans and “Twitter doctors” shared their thoughts on what Haliburton’s injury was. One sports medicine doctor with over 50,000 followers on X, Brian Sutterer, said the tape was not in a “typical” position for an ankle issue, and Haliburton could be dealing with an Achilles ailment.
zNot your typical tape position for an ankle injury. Looks like it could be an Achilles issue https://t.co/PHUzrqPXUs
— Brian Sutterer MD (@BrianSuttererMD) June 12, 2025
Another known social media account focused on sports injuries from Evan Jeffries reflected a similar sentiment, writing that it could be a lower calf/Achilles issue for Haliburton based on the tape placement.
NBA Finals Game 3 Update 🚨‼️
Based on the tape “position” Tyrese Haliburton could be dealing with a possible lower calf (soleus/achilles) issue
The Indiana Pacers have labeled it a “lower leg injury”
Rick Carlisle described Tyrese as of having “some” discomfort pic.twitter.com/pOuKdZLdFp
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) June 10, 2025
Either way, Haliburton was out on the floor for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, showing no early issues with his right foot or ankle. However, it will certainly be a storyline to monitor as the series continues.
