Indiana trailed by 16 points in the third quarter before cutting the Thunder's lead to only two points, although they got sloppy in the final minutes of the game, ultimately losing by 11. Tyrese Haliburton scored only four points and missed all six of his shots from the field.

It’s the Finals. I’ve worked my whole life to be here. I want to be out there to compete… if I can walk, I want to play.”

On Monday night after the Indiana Pacers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-109 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Haliburton's coach admitted he's playing injured. During his postgame press conference, Rick Carlisle said that Haliburton’s leg injury was still, clearly, having an impact on his ability to perform on the court.

With the Thunder leaning into what they do best, they are now one win away from the NBA title — and feel inevitable at this point.

At the NBA Finals, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle is trying to shine a light on what he considers an important cause.