As the Indiana Pacers prepare for Game 6 of the NBA Finals, a big risk is looming for them. A big loss in Game 5 has really set the Pacers back.

The big talking point coming out of Game 5 was Tyrese Haliburton’s poor performance. The star point guard made zero field goals in the Pacers’ loss.

However, Rick Carlisle revealed that Haliburton was playing through a serious injury. This explains his rough outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Stephen A. Smith believes Carlisle should have played T.J. McConnell more, knowing Haliburton’s injury situation.

But the Pacers’ numbers without Haliburton show that Carlisle had good reason to keep him in the game. And if Haliburton has to miss Game 6, it could be the end of their NBA championship hopes.

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

While covering Tyrese Haliburton’s injury, ESPN shared a graphic of the Indiana Pacers’ minutes with and without the All-Star guard.

The difference in the way the team performs with and without Haliburton on the court is night and day. The stats in the table below highlight the disparity in their offensive quality.

While the Pacers have played fewer minutes without Haliburton compared to with him, thus raising some questions about the sample size, the disparity is quite drastic.

It’s clear that Haliburton is the motor of the Indiana Pacers’ offense. And without him, the team will struggle to get things going against the elite Thunder defense.

Tyrese Haliburton has been diagnosed with a calf strain, but he plans to play in Game 6. However, this could lead to a far worse injury. And it’s a situation we’ve seen this season.

In March of this year, Damian Lillard suffered a calf strain while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. He would make his return ahead of the NBA playoffs.

But during their first-round series, ironically enough, against the Indiana Pacers, Lillard sustained a serious Achilles injury that took him out of the series, and is set to keep him out next season.

Lillard’s Achilles tear came months after he sustained a calf strain and had seemingly recovered. But given how those muscles are closely tied, one injury led to another.

Haliburton could sustain an even more severe injury if he plays in Game 6. Not only because he is already hurt, but also because he is playing on the most intense and demanding stage in the NBA, where the basketball is more physical and intense than it is at any other point in the season.

While Haliburton wants to play and try to give the Pacers a chance to come back, he could be risking his long-term health and the team’s future if he goes through with that plan.