Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals ended in disappointment for the Indiana Pacers not just because of the scoreboard, but because their star guard, Tyrese Haliburton didn’t look like himself.
Statistically, Haliburton had a decent night: 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting, with three three-pointers in 34 minutes. But something felt off. His explosiveness was missing, his timing was slightly off… Observers noticed, even if nothing seemed physically wrong during the game.
Then came a postgame surprise: A video surfaced showing Haliburton limping as he walked to and from his press conference. No clear injury had occurred on the court, and the team hadn’t reported anything unusual beforehand. Still, the footage caught the attention of reporters and fans alike. While Haliburton has been managing a wrist issue during the playoffs, this was a new concern-raising fresh doubts about his condition heading into Game 3.
Tyrese’s impact, holy water for Pacers
Haliburton is more than just Indiana’s top scorer. He is the heart of their entire offense. Without him at full strength, the Pacers struggle to function. His ability to control the tempo, set up teammates, and distribute the ball is unmatched. This season, Indiana is winless (0-3) without him, and their offensive efficiency plummets when he’s not on the court.
Haliburton averages 75 passes per game, and his presence keeps the team flowing. Without him, spacing suffers, shots become rushed, and the entire offense stalls.
What does this injury mean for Haliburton and Indiana?
His limp after Game 2 could signal more than just fatigue, and it may have real consequences for the Pacers. If he’s dealing with a lower-body injury, it could limit his speed, balance, and explosiveness, which are key parts of his game.
His shooting mechanics might suffer, his ability to run the fast-paced offense could slow, and his defensive mobility could drop off. Even small limitations can throw off his rhythm, timing, and confidence-especially in the high-pressure environment of the Finals.
The Pacers need more than just Haliburton on the court-they need him at full strength. Otherwise, their offense risks stalling at the worst possible time.
His team-mates acknowledge Haliburton’s relevance on the offense
Even stars like Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner have admitted the offense doesn’t run the same without Haliburton calling the shots. Turner put it bluntly: without Tyrese, “the offense gets stuck in neutral.” The Pacers’ shooting percentages dip significantly when their floor general sits, and the team’s net rating drops by over two points per 100 possessions.
Defensively, Haliburton may not be elite, but his energy and leadership are felt across the court. That intangible boost is something no bench player can replicate. And while the Pacers have added depth with Bruce Brown and Obi Toppin, no one can truly replace their engine in the middle of an NBA Finals.
As Game 3 looms back in Indiana, Haliburton’s health is now the biggest storyline. The team has two days to regroup and hope their star can recover. Because if Haliburton’s limp is a sign of something serious, the Pacers’ title hopes may be limping right alongside him.
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