By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The uncertainty surrounding Tyrese Haliburton and his availability for Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV does not budge the Oklahoma City Thunder and Isaiah Hartenstein.
“We’re preparing as if he’s going to play. That’s what we’re focused on. It’s the Finals. The same thing last series, where people were sick, people said I’m going to play. We’re just focusing on that he’s going to play,” mentioned the 27-year-old center, “If he doesn’t play, we’re ready regardless.”
With the Indiana Pacers trailing 3-2 in a best-of-seven series, they must win in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday to force a Game 7 in Paycom Center on Sunday.
“In the case that he plays, we’re expecting his best punch. Indiana is a great team. We don’t underestimate great teams,” recapped head coach Mark Daigneault, ”Whether he plays or not, we’re expecting Indiana’s best punch, especially at home. We’ll be prepared for the best punch for both him and the team.”
Haliburton, 25, has been dealing with a right calf injury over recent days, during the Finals.
“I expect him to play,” said 31-year-old Alex Caruso, being one win away from a second NBA championship after the 2020 triumph with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In turn, Hartenstein is a former G League champion seeking his first NBA championship ring.
“I think the main thing is just approaching it, not like every other game, but we’re not looking at it as if we win, we win a championship,” noted the native of Eugene, Oregon.
“We’re focusing on Game 6,” he continued, “We still want to come out with the same desperation as the Pacers are going to come out with. That’s the biggest thing. We’re not changing, not looking too far ahead. We just have to focus on the present moment. I think that kind of takes away the anxiety.”
The Thunder are one win away from a second NBA championship in franchise history, following the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.
2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google
Conference Quarterfinals (best of seven)
East
Cleveland Cavaliers – Miami Heat 4-0 (121-100, 121-112, 124-87, 138-83)
Boston Celtics – Orlando Magic 4-1 (103-86, 109-100, 93-95, 107-98, 120-89)
New York Knicks – Detroit Pistons 4-2 (123-112, 94-100, 118-116, 94-93, 103-106, 116-113)
Indiana Pacers – Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 (117-98, 123-115, 101-117, 129-103, 119-118)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Memphis Grizzlies 4-0 (131-80, 118-99, 114-108, 117-115)
Houston Rockets – Golden State Warriors 3-4 (85-95, 109-94, 93-104, 106-109, 131-116, 115-107, 89-103)
Los Angeles Lakers – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-4 (95-117, 94-85, 104-116, 113-116, 96-103)
Denver Nuggets – Los Angeles Clippers 4-3 (112-110, 102-105, 83-117, 101-99, 131-115, 105-111, 120-101)
Conference Semifinals (best of seven)
East
Cleveland Cavaliers – Indiana Pacers 1-4 (112-121, 119-120, 126-104, 109-129, 105-114)
Boston Celtics – New York Knicks 2-4 (105-108, 90-91, 115-93, 113-121, 127-102, 81-119)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Denver Nuggets 4-3 (119-121, 149-106, 104-113, 92-87, 112-105, 107-119, 125-93)
Minnesota Timberwolves – Golden State Warriors 4-1 (88-99, 117-93, 102-97, 117-110, 121-110)
Conference Finals (best of seven)
East
New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers 2-4 (135-138, 109-114, 106-100, 121-130, 111-94, 108-125)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 (114-88, 118-103, 101-143, 128-126, 124-94)
NBA Finals (best of seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Indiana Pacers 3-2 (110-111, 123-107, 107-116, 111-104, 120-109)