With Haliburton Questionable, T.J. McConnell Set to Ignite Game 6: Will Indy’s Energizer Plug into the Starting Lineup and Shock OKC?

As the Indiana Pacers brace for a win-or-go-home Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the uncertainty surrounding star guard Tyrese Haliburton’s availability has cast a cloud of suspense over the franchise’s most critical night of the season. The 24-year-old All-Star has been nursing a lingering calf injury that flared up again in Game 4, and despite gutting through limited minutes in Game 5, his status remains “questionable” heading into Thursday’s clash at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

McConnell, the tenacious 32-year-old point guard often labeled as the “heartbeat” of the Pacers’ second unit, could be in line for a larger role—potentially even a start—if Haliburton is ruled out or limited. While he’s never been the flashiest player on the floor, McConnell’s relentless motor, crafty passing, and defensive grit have turned him into a fan favorite—and lately, a clutch performer when it matters most.

In the wake of Haliburton’s injury, McConnell has quietly taken on more responsibility. He logged 27 minutes in Game 5, putting up 14 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds with the type of energy that sent the crowd into a frenzy—even as the Pacers came up short late. Now, with Indiana trailing 3-2 in the series and their offensive maestro at less than full strength, the spotlight may fall squarely on McConnell.

Throughout the playoffs, McConnell has been the Pacers’ firestarter off the bench, constantly changing the game’s rhythm with his uptempo style. He may not command defensive doubles like Haliburton, but he’s found ways to slice through OKC’s perimeter defense with deceptive quickness and a high basketball IQ. The Thunder, one of the league’s most defensively disciplined squads, have struggled at times to contain McConnell in transition.

That brand of hustle could be the x-factor in Game 6. The Thunder are young, fast, and aggressive. If McConnell can keep them off-balance with his pace and ball movement, Indiana’s offense may find a rhythm—even without Haliburton’s elite playmaking.

Haliburton’s injury has become a major storyline. He has battled this same calf issue on and off for the past few months, and it visibly limited his mobility in Game 5. Though he started, he was clearly playing at half-speed—racking up just 9 points on 4-of-10 shooting in 22 minutes. He failed to score in the fourth quarter and was pulled early in the final stretch, raising questions about whether he should have suited up at all.

Pacers fans have long loved McConnell for his scrappiness. He’s not a high draft pick. He’s not a highlight machine. But he embodies what Indiana basketball has always valued—heart, toughness, and consistency. And now, with the team’s back against the wall, McConnell could find himself in the rarest position of his career: the center of the storm, not just a spark off the bench.

In a series defined by speed, youth, and shooting, McConnell brings something different. He slows the game down just enough to make things unpredictable. He forces turnovers. He draws fouls. And above all, he makes the smart play.

The Thunder know what’s at stake. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been on a tear, and OKC’s depth has proven reliable throughout the series. But they also understand the threat of momentum—and McConnell brings that in spades. If Indiana gets out to a fast start behind his energy, the home crowd could fuel a Game 6 push that flips the series back in the Pacers’ favor.