The Indiana Pacers are facing the possibility of playing Game 6 of the NBA Finals without Tyrese Haliburton, as coach Rick Carlisle revealed in a radio interview. Haliburton has been struggling with a lower right leg injury that worsened during Game 5, where he played through it but failed to make a field goal. The team is closely evaluating his condition ahead of the crucial game on Thursday.

Haliburton, a key player in the Olympic gold-winning team, is undergoing evaluation to determine the extent of his injury, including an MRI exam. Carlisle emphasized the need to prepare for both scenarios - with or without Haliburton. If he is unable to play, guard TJ McConnell is likely to step into a starting role after his impressive performance in the playoffs.

During Game 5, Haliburton played through discomfort but struggled to make an impact, finishing with only four points despite playing 34 minutes. The Pacers considered not letting him play in the second half, but Haliburton insisted on being on the court to help his team. The team will continue to monitor his condition and make a game-time decision for Game 6.