Tirese Haliburton put on a clinic on guts and grit in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. He battled through the pain of a sore right calf throughout the 2nd half. Despite aggravating the injury early in the first quarter, Haliburton insisted on returning to the game, showcasing his commitment to the Indiana Pacers as they strive for a championship.
The biggest change to Haliburton’s performance between Game 4 and Game 5 was an abrupt falloff in output. He finished with just four points, tying his playoff career low. He ended that game having not made a field goal for the first time in his postseason career. As a result, he turned in an all-time-low 0-for-6 shooting performance. Haliburton had a big battle that night to get out of the game. He was able to piece together only six drives, the fewest he has put together this entire postseason. His 13 completions are tied for the second fewest in any playoff game over his career.
Although Haliburton faced adversity, he still provided playmaking ability with six assists and seven rebounds in 34 minutes of action. His resolve shone through when he emerged after halftime with his right calf tightly wrapped. Perhaps most importantly, he was extremely motivated to do everything in his power to make his team a competitor.
Haliburton admitted postgame that he wasn’t at his best in that game. He said that the injury was in “the same area” as his old right ankle injury. That prior ailment had caused him to leave the stadium on crutches after a Game 2 postgame news conference. Despite this, he made it clear that his focus was on being the best on-cut.
“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.” – Tyrese Haliburton
His head coach, as well as his peers on the Pacers, have both come out endorsing Haliburton’s scrappiness. Pascal Siakam praised his resiliency, stating, “One thing he showed, his resiliency. He showed that all year. We can continue to count on him to keep fighting.” Siakam further acknowledged the importance of Haliburton’s contributions to the team, saying, “He’s been our rock all year. He’s a big reason why we’re here.”
The Pacers’ performance this postseason has been heavily influenced by Haliburton’s scoring. When he scores 20 points or less, they’re just 6-7. They’re still perfect with an 8-0 record when he goes over that point threshold. His ability to contribute offensively is crucial for the team’s success as they head into the final stretch of the playoffs.
Haliburton’s sights are still set on recovering and getting ready for Game 6. He said it was important for him to care for his body and sleep well in preparation for the bigger challenge that lies ahead.
“I was not great tonight by any means, but it’s not really a thought of mine to not play here. If I can walk, then I want to play.” – Tyrese Haliburton
The Pacers will certainly him at his best if they hope to rebound and carry a good deal of momentum forward into this series. Even without Haliburton’s lighthearted spirit and never-say-die determination, fans would still be drinking in the possibilities given what lies ahead during this exciting postseason adventure.
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