Indiana’s star Tyrese Haliburton limped out of recreation seven of the NBA Finals within the first quarter in a devastating blow to the Pacers’ hopes of toppling the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to say the title.
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Haliburton was already nursing a proper calf pressure and was a close to game-time resolution for recreation six — when the Pacers routed the Thunder in Indianapolis to drive the decisive recreation seven.
It was tied at 16-16 with 5 minutes left within the fist interval when Haliburton caught a cross from Obi Toppin and appeared to slide as he tried to drive previous Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Haliburton sprawled ahead, beating the court docket with one hand in obvious ache. His teammates rapidly surrounded him earlier than he was helped from the ground and departed for the locker room — hopping on one leg and supported by Pacers workers.
The Pacers later confirmed Haliburton would play no additional half within the recreation after struggling a “proper decrease leg harm”, ESPN reported.
Haliburton had made three three-pointers on the way in which to 9 factors earlier than the harm.
With out their talisman the Pacers — who had led by as many as dug in to maintain it shut, the Thunder main 25-22 on the finish of the primary quarter.
“It’s a heartbreak, man,” Myles Turner informed broadcaster NBC because the second quarter acquired underway.
“It’s unlucky, you realize, largest recreation of the yr that harm didn’t, like, maintain up.
“However, you realize, we’ve acquired his again and that’s what it’s all about.”