Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle will make a last-minute decision on Tyrese Haliburton’s fitness as his team prepare for Thursday’s must-win NBA Finals clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Haliburton is an injury doubt for Thursday’s game six in Indianapolis after suffering a calf strain in the Pacers’ on Monday that leaves the Thunder one game away from clinching the NBA crown.
Carlisle said the point guard would undergo a late fitness test on Thursday to determine whether he will be in the starting line-up.
“As far as Tyrese, he’ll go through the day tomorrow,” Carlisle said. “Our prep session is tomorrow late afternoon.
“They’ll get together and do some testing. That will determine whether he plays or not. If he doesn’t play, we have a plan obviously if we’re without him.
“We’ll see where we are tomorrow. We will not really know for sure until late tomorrow afternoon or early evening.”
Haliburton left Monday’s game late in the first quarter for treatment to his injured calf and insisted on returning to the game after a halftime discussion with Carlisle.
Haliburton said his determination to play in what is a must-win game for Indiana needed to be balanced against the potential long-term injury risk.
“I think it depends on who you ask. You’re asking me. I think I have to be as smart as I want to be. Have to understand the risks, ask the right questions,” Haliburton said.
“I’m a competitor; I want to play. I’m going to do everything in my power to play. That’s just what it is.”
Haliburton meanwhile is undergoing round-the-clock treatment in an effort to be ready for Thursday.
“Massage, needles, hyperbaric, H waves — everything you can do to get as comfortable as you can,” Haliburton said. “Just doing everything I’m told. Trying to do everything I can.”
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