Tyrese Haliburton pushed through a calf injury and led the Indiana Pacers to a crucial Game 6 win on Thursday night, setting the stage for a decisive Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The All-Star guard opened his postgame press conference with a clear message about what drove him to suit up: “I want to be out there to compete with my brothers.”
Despite visible discomfort, Haliburton logged 14 points and five assists. But more than stats, it was his leadership and will to play that shaped Indiana’s 108-91 victory. He said he spoke candidly with coach Rick Carlisle ahead of the game to make sure he wouldn’t hurt the team.
“If I didn’t look like myself and was hurting the team, sit me down,” he said. “Obviously, I want to be on the floor, but I want to win more than anything.”
Haliburton didn’t shy away from discussing the rigorous treatment process he went through over the previous 48 hours.
“Hyperbaric chamber, MRI, specialists, agents, hyperbaric again,” he said. “Carl and Justin have been in my house… We’ve got a lot of people who take care of me. We have an elite medical staff.”
The 25-year-old also shared how he’s tuned out external noise during the Finals. “I don’t have the apps or anything,” he said of social media. “All that matters is the opinions of the guys in the locker room.”
When asked how close he felt to 100 percent, Haliburton deferred. “That’s really for you guys to analyze,” he said. “I was just trying to come out and impact the game in any way I could.”
Despite the noise surrounding Indiana’s closest-ever push to an NBA title, Haliburton emphasized a narrow focus heading into Game 7.
“We’ve got one game,” he said. “Nothing that’s happened before matters. Nothing that’s going to happen after matters.”
The Pacers’ bench provided key production in Game 6, outscoring Oklahoma City’s reserves 48-38. Haliburton credited the team’s depth as a major factor all season.
“We’ve just got so many different guys that can chip in,” he said, naming T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin, and others. “That’s what’s been very important through all these games.”
He also recalled a pivotal play that symbolized the night—his steal and no-look assist to Pascal Siakam.
“That was definitely a special moment,” Haliburton said. “If we are fortunate enough to go on to win this thing, I think that play will be remembered for a long time.”
Game 7 of the NBA Finals is set for Sunday in Oklahoma City.
