When Tyrese Haliburton walked off the dais following his postgame interview in Oklahoma City on Sunday night, astute media members noticed something was not quite right. Haliburton had a bit of a limp. It was a surprise to many because it did not appear that he had been off his game during the Pacers' Game 2 loss to the Thunder, which evened the series at 1-1.
Haliburton was not dominant in the game, but he had 17 points and six assists, with two blocks and two steals. He also was at his best late in the game, and after going 2-for-7 from the field in the first three periods, he went 5-for-6 in the final quarter, with 12 points.
Haliburton did not deny that he had some sort of injury. But he was not in much of a mood to talk about it on Tuesday.
He was asked about the limp in his off-day press conference: "I'm fine. Really just a lower leg thing. I'll leave it at that. I don't think there's anything more to elaborate. I feel fine and I'll be ready to go for Game 3."
Jun 8, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) brings the ball up court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter of game two of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0)
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle admitted that Haliburton was not 100%.
"He practiced," Carlisle said. "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, I mean, there's just so much to be excited about. We've got a couple guys that are slightly under the weather; I don't think anything is going to keep these guys from playing in the game."
Haliburton and the Pacers will play Game 3 against the Thunder on Wednesday night at 8:30 ET.