Tyrese Haliburton addresses lower leg issue ahead of Game 3
Indiana Pacers' All-Star guard says he’s “fine” despite showing visible discomfort following Game 2. The latest on Haliburton.
When Tyrese Haliburton arrived at the postgame press conference Sunday following the Pacers’ Game 2 loss, something was off. He moved gingerly, slowly climbed two steps to the podium, then grimaced as he sat down.
He’s logged 74 hard minutes through two games in the NBA Finals. He’s the focal point of the offense, and Oklahoma City’s defense is structured around stopping him. It was clear he wasn’t at full strength.
The Pacers held practice Tuesday, with reporters allowed in for the final 30 minutes — mostly light shooting drills. If you didn’t know any better, you wouldn’t have noticed anything wrong with Haliburton. He moved fluidly, went off the dribble, and ran from the corner to the opposite arc
But one thing did stand out: black kinesiology tape on his lower right leg, extending from the Achilles area down to his ankle.
“I'm fine,” he said after practice. “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.”
The Pacers need their All-Star point guard on the floor — and there’s no doubt he will be. The bigger question is how effective he can be, especially with All-Defensive First Team guard Lu Dort relentlessly swarming him, and any other Pacers in his area.
Haliburton has been largely kept out of the paint and is shooting just 33% from deep in the series. He’s yet to attempt a free throw. In Game 2, through three quarters — the stretch when the game was still competitive — the Pacers were outscored 34–16 in the paint and trailed by as many as 23 points.
That interior margin, along with Haliburton’s mobility, must improve if the Pacers are to bounce back in Game 3 on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“He practiced,” said head coach Rick Carlisle. “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.”
Game 3 tips at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.