Although he went to the dressing room early to attend his calf injury, nothing seems to prevent Tyrese Haliburton NBA Finals action. The Pacers-star was over to play by a painful right-handed eagle and returned in the second half of their loss of 120-109 for the Thunder in Game 5.
This Monday evening we witnessed the Indiana Guard worsened his injury and then returned with his calf wrapped and ready for war. Although he ended the competition, his production was quite limited, especially in view of the fact that he corresponds to the lowest scoring total of his career in the late season.
He finished the evening in Oklahoma City without a field goal for the first time in his play-off career, and went 0-out-6. “It’s the final,” Haliburton shared, now losing the 3-2 series. “I have worked all my life to be here and I want to be there to compete, to help my teammates the way I can.”
The 25-year-old is determined to stay with his teammates, whatever happens. “I was not great in any way, but it is not really a thought of mine not to play here. If I can walk, I want to play,” he told the press, bombarding him with questions about his continuity in the series.
Although he did not make his desired impact, the Pacers guard also added six assists and seven rebounds in 34 minutes. “Just try to keep pace in the game, influence the way I can do,” Tyrese explained. “Try to get the ball to boys in the right places if I can.”
Although the dream of the championship continues, especially since the series is now shifting to Indianapolis, it will be difficult to pull out and be angry with Haliburton limited. During the play-offs they are 6-7 when the All-Star scores 20 points or less.
“He is a hunter,” said teammate Pascal Siakam, who led the Pacers on Monday evening with 28 points. “He has been our rock all year round. He is a big reason why we are here. I don’t know exactly what is wrong, but I know he is fighting and he will give us everything he has.”
