After initially taking a 2-1 lead in the 2025 NBA Finals, the Pacers have their backs against the wall for Game 6.
Indiana fell in Game 5 to the Thunder, making it a 3-2 series entering Thursday's matchup. For the Pacers, the biggest storyline coming out of Game 5 was the health of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Haliburton has been the engine of the Pacers' offense throughout their surprising playoff run, hitting clutch shots along the way, but he's been dealing with a lower leg injury over the past few Finals games, one that appeared to hamper him enough in Game 5 that he scored just four points in 34 minutes.
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Now, Haliburton's status has been in question in recent days, with the guard indicating he'll do whatever he can to get on the floor for Game 6. However, just how effective Haliburton will be against OKC if he does play is another question.
Here are the latest updates on Haliburton's status for Game 6 of the Finals on Thursday night.
Is Tyrese Haliburton playing tonight vs. Thunder?
Haliburton entered Thursday listed as "questionable" by the Pacers for Game 6 with a calf injury. He was set to be a game-time decision, but Rick Carlisle announced pregame that Haliburton would officially play against the Thunder.
Tyrese Haliburton is playing in Game 6 tonight, coach Rick Carlisle announced. pic.twitter.com/36hD7TFfjQ
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 19, 2025
Haliburton struggled to produce in Game 5 with his lingering ailment. Charania reported afterward that he was dealing with a strained right calf and was set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the strain. On Wednesday, Haliburton then said it was still his "plan" to be out on the floor for Game 6, even if he's not at 100 percent, as he managed the injury.
Tyrese Haliburton on his strained calf.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) June 18, 2025
Massages, needles, hyperbaric, all the stuff being put on this calf. Says he likely would miss time if this was the regular season.
Pacers will take this up to tomorrow, late afternoon.
Hali: “I want to be out there. That’s the plan.” pic.twitter.com/hYnZuVcR8X
Haliburton also said following Game 5 that he was confident that he'd play in Game 6, then walked away from his media presser with a limp.
Tyrese Haliburton says he’s going to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, saying he’s waited his whole life for this.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 17, 2025
Here he is walking off with a limp. pic.twitter.com/yLIbz5oNw2
Carlisle said Wednesday that Haliburton's status would be decided around "late tomorrow afternoon or early evening" before Game 6, and he became a full-go for the matchup just hours before tip off.
Charania also said on Thursday's Pat McAfee Show that Haliburton was "fully intending to be out there" and was "going to gut it out."
MORE: Why Rick Carlisle benched T.J. McConnell in fourth quarter of Finals Game 5
Tyrese Haliburton 2025 playoff stats
Here are Haliburton's per-game stats for the 2025 playoffs:
- 21 games
- 35.3 minutes
- 17.9 points
- 5.8 rebounds
- 9.1 assists
- 1.3 steals
- 46.3% FG%
- 32.3% 3FG%
- 82.5% FT%
What channel is Thunder vs. Pacers Game 6 on today?
- TV channel: ABC
- Live stream: Sling
Game 6 of Thunder vs. Pacers, and the rest of the series, will air nationally on ABC. Mike Breen (play-by-play), Richard Jefferson (analyst), and Doris Burke (analyst) will have the call for every game.
Viewers can also stream the games live on Sling, which will carry every NBA playoff game in 2025. Sling is your home for playoff action. Catch NBA and NHL postseason games with a range of sports channels including TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, ABC, and more.
MORE: Top 13 highest scoring games in NBA Finals history
Thunder vs. Pacers start time
- Date: Thursday, June 19
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 6 between the Thunder and Pacers in the NBA Finals will start around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 19. The matchup will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.