Despite a clear lower right leg injury sustained early in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton was held scoreless in the first half for the first time in his 36-game playoff career. After playing 10:04 of Monday's first quarter, Haliburton went to the locker room and came out wearing a wrap around his lower leg. With 8:27 remaining in the first half, Haliburton checked back into the match.
He eventually finished game with just four points all from the free-throw line in a 120-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The defeat puts Indiana down 3-2 in the series and marks the first time they've trailed in a playoff round this postseason.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle revealed earlier in the series that Haliburton has been experiencing some discomfort, though did not sound overly concerned. Haliburton has started all five games in the series.
Thunder Take 3-2 NBA Finals Lead Behind Jalen Williams' 40-Point Explosion
The Oklahoma City Thunder are now one win away from their first NBA title since relocating to Oklahoma, after holding off Indiana Pacers rally.
Indiana erased an 18-point first-half deficit and cut the lead to just two points in the fourth quarter, but Oklahoma City responded with a career-best playoff performance from Jalen Williams.
The third-year forward dropped 40 points his highest ever in postseason play and added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal to help Thunder get one step closer to the NBA title.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finishined the game with 31 points, 10 assists, and an impressive 4 blocks to complement Williams’ big night.
For Pacers Pascal Siakam led the scoring with 28 points to go with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. TJ McConnell came off the bench to finish the game with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. However, it was Siakam’s six turnovers proved costly in a game.
Oklahoma City now leads the series 3-2 and will look to close it out Thursday night in Indiana. The Pacers, who hadn’t trailed in a series all postseason until now, face elimination and must win at home to force a decisive Game 7.
