After a dramatic comeback in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers suffered a setback in Game 2 as the Oklahoma City Thunder evened the series.
But amid the Pacers' 123-107 loss at Paycom Center, fans spotted Indiana's star point guard Tyrese Haliburton limping as he arrived and departed from his post-game press conference.
Haliburton's flair for late-game dramatics are part of the reason why the Pacers have made it to the NBA Finals for the first time in a quarter-century. His game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left in Game 1 completed the Pacers' stunning rally from a 15-point deficit to open the series. This postseason, he is shooting 87 percent on game-tying or go-ahead shots in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime.
For the Pacers to play on without Haliburton would cede the initiative to NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder.
Fortunately for Indiana, Haliburton himself has said he will not miss any action. As the series shifts to Gainbridge FieldHouse for Game 3 on Wednesday night, Haliburton told the media that he will be ready for the Pacers' first Finals home game since 2000.
"I'm fine," Haliburton said Tuesday. "It's really just a lower leg thing, I'll leave it at that. I feel fine and I'll be ready to go for Game 3."
That should be music to the ears of Pacers fans, who have been in thrall to Haliburton's performances this spring. Haliburton is averaging 18.4 points and 9.3 assists across 18 playoff games -- though the Thunder defense kept him in check for large portions of the Finals' opening two games, limiting him to 31 combined points and 12 assists while forcing eight turnovers in Oklahoma City.