Patryk Stachowiak
With Game 7 of the NBA Finals looming, all eyes are on Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton and his availability. Haliburton has been managing a lingering calf strain, but the setback didn’t stop him from contributing in the Pacers’ commanding Game 6 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
After a rough outing in Game 5 where he failed to score a field goal Haliburton rebounded in style. He posted 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-7 from deep, along with five assists. Impressively, he managed this in just under 23 minutes, sitting out the entire fourth quarter thanks to Indiana’s blowout lead. That rest could prove crucial ahead of a decisive Game 7.
According to Indiana’s official injury report, Haliburton is listed as questionable for Sunday’s winner-takes-all showdown. However, given his solid Game 6 performance, expectations are that he will suit up and play through the injury once again.
Even at less than full strength, Haliburton remains a pivotal figure for the Pacers especially with his elite passing and game management. He finished Game 6 with a team-best +25 in plus-minus, reflecting just how influential his presence is in sparking Indiana’s offense.
From a betting standpoint, the market continues to adjust. DraftKings opened with the Thunder as 8.5-point favorites for Game 7. However, momentum has slightly swung toward Indiana, with the spread now sitting at Thunder -7.5. Bettors are clearly taking note of Indiana’s resilience and Haliburton’s grit.
The Pacers have defied expectations throughout the series, pulling off three outright upsets as underdogs. If Haliburton can log effective minutes, history suggests the Pacers are more than capable of toppling the Thunder once more. With the championship on the line, Haliburton’s availability could be the X-factor.