Report: Haliburton feared to have suffered calf strain, will undergo MRI
The Indiana Pacers believe star guard Tyrese Haliburton is suffering from a right calf strain and will undergo an MRI to determine its severity, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday.
There is doubt that Haliburton would continue to play if he sustained this injury in the regular season or the first round, Charania told Malika Andrews on ESPN.
The two-time All-Star appeared to have a lower leg injury after Game 2 last Sunday, and he was seen limping on and off the podium during his postgame press conference, according to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files.
Haliburton told reporters he was "fine" but that he was dealing with a "lower leg thing" ahead of Game 3, per Forbes' Tony East.
The 25-year-old appeared to aggravate the injury in the first quarter of Game 5. He briefly left the contest before returning near the beginning of the second quarter with his lower leg heavily wrapped.
Haliburton played 34 minutes in Monday's 120-109 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was far from effective, though, tying his career playoff low with four points, all of which came from the free-throw line. He also recorded six rebounds and seven assists.
"It's the NBA Finals. I've worked my whole life to be here, and I want to be out there to compete, help my teammates any way I can," Haliburton said after the loss, according to Sportsnet.
"I was not great tonight by any means, but it's not really a thought of mine to not play here," Haliburton added. "If I can walk, I want to play, so they understand that, it is what it is, got to be ready for Game 6."
The Pacers will attempt to stave off elimination in Game 6 on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET.