June 17 (UPI) -- All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton was slowed by a calf injury and failed to make a field goal in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, but plans to play through the issue in Game 6 as the Indiana Pacers try to avoid elimination.
The Pacers star provided an update on the injury early Tuesday morning after the 120-109 setback to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday in Oklahoma City. Haliburton went 0 for 6 from the field -- failing to make a field goal in a playoff game for the first time in his career.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle that Haliburton insisted he could continue to play when the two spoke at halftime.
"I mean, it's the NBA Finals," Haliburton said at his postgame news conference. "It's the Finals, man. 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. 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. They understand that. And it is what it is.
"Got to be ready to go for Game 6."
