Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton on Tuesday dismissed any injury worries, confirming his presence for Game 3 of the NBA Final against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, Afrosport reports.
Head coach Rick Carlisle revealed that the 25-year-old was experiencing some “discomfort” despite practising on Tuesday, but the 65-year-old added that the injury was not too serious and would not stop the two-time All-Star from playing in Game 3.
Haliburton hit the winner as Indiana clawed back from a 15-point deficit to steal Game 1, 111-110. Indiana, however, lost Game 2 as the Thunder claimed an emphatic 123-107 win to even the series 1-1.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Really just a lower leg thing,” Haliburton said in a pre-game conference. “I’ll leave it at that. I don’t think there’s any more to elaborate. I feel fine and will be ready to go for Game 3.”
Carlisle added: “He [Haliburton] practiced and he went through everything. I know he has some discomfort, he feels it, but each day it’s getting better. I don’t think you’re going to hear him making a big deal out of it.
“This is the time of year where it just doesn’t get any better than this. The atmosphere, the interest, the opportunity. Coming back and being at home. There’s just so much to be excited about. We’ve got a couple of guys who are slightly under the weather, but I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to keep these guys from playing in the game.”
the NBA Finals come to Indy
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— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 11, 2025
Haliburton finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1 before scoring 17 points in Game 2 and continues his stellar postseason form with the Pacers hoping to clinch their first NBA championship.
The NBA Finals will now move to Indianapolis at the Pacer’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse home, and he has vowed to improve his form and rally his team to victory.
“I think playing two games against these guys is really good. It gives me more film to watch, see where I can be better,” he continued. “I feel like I haven’t been great by any means in the first two games.
“So I’m just trying to take what I can to prepare me for game three and just trying to be the best version of myself. So, just keep watching film to see where I can get better. The answers always lie in the film.”
Haliburton is averaging 18.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 9.4 assists in 35.3 minutes per game across 18 contests in the playoffs this season.
