Tyrese HaliburtonTyrese Haliburton (Photo via Imagn Images)
Tyrese Haliburton’s availability for the crucial Game 6 in the NBA Finals is up in the air, and Pacers fans are holding their breath.

After suffering a right calf strain during Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder Haliburton’s status is giving the Indiana fans woes.

During the last game, he played 34 minutes, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out six assists, but his injury clearly affected his performance. It left him with a -13 plus-minus rating.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Pacers superstar will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the strain. He said, “if this were the regular season, or even the first round, there’s doubt that he would play.”

The injury happened when he drove to the basket in the first quarter, and he went back to the locker room briefly before returning to the bench. Initially thought to just be calf tightness, the team is now concerned it might be more serious.

 

Tyrese Haliburton Still Determined To Play Game 6

Tyrese Haliburton Brushes Off Distractions Following a Dominant Game 3 Win in the NBA FinalsTyrese Haliburton (Photo by Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images)

While the news development around Haliburton’s injury is keeping the Pacers fans on their toes,

Tyrese is determined to go all in.

After the game, he mentioned that even if it hurts a little and he could walk, there’s no doubt that he’ll play Game 6.

“It’s the Finals, man. I’ve worked my whole life to be here and I want to be out there to compete. Help my teammates any way I can. I was not great tonight by any means, but it’s not really a thought of mine to not play [in Game 6]. If I can walk, then I want to play,” Haliburton said.

With the team facing elimination, they really need all their stars to shine. If Haliburton can’t suit up, T.J. McConnell is likely to take over as the point guard. But losing Haliburton would definitely be a tough blow.

Fans everywhere will be eagerly awaiting updates on his condition, hoping for good news as the Pacers look to extend their season. Fingers crossed!

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’