The Indiana Pacers are gearing up for the possibility of Tyrese Haliburton missing Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Coach Rick Carlisle announced during a radio segment that Haliburton is currently dealing with a lower leg injury that has worsened during the series, specifically after the recent Game 5 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While Haliburton managed to play 34 minutes in Game 5, he was unable to score and contributed to the team’s 120-109 defeat, leaving them trailing 3-2 in the Finals. In light of the crucial Game 6 coming up on Thursday, Carlisle indicated that Haliburton will undergo thorough evaluations over the next 36 hours.

“He is going to be carefully evaluated over the next 36 hours and will likely be listed as questionable on the injury report and probably will be a game-time decision for Game 6,” Carlisle mentioned on a local radio station.

Additionally, Haliburton is being assessed for the severity of his injury through an MRI. There has been no public confirmation of this from either the player or the team, but ESPN initially reported the scheduled MRI. In preparation for Haliburton potentially sitting out Game 6, Carlisle has considered promoting guard TJ McConnell into a starting role, given McConnell’s stellar performances throughout the playoffs.

Haliburton expressed his determination to compete, stating:

“I mean, it’s the NBA Finals. It’s the finals, man. 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.”

As the Pacers hold a practice session on Wednesday, they will strategize for Game 6, which will commence at 8:30 PM ET in Indianapolis.