Rick Carlisle did indeed rip into the Indiana Pacers’ performance following a blowout loss in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. This game was crucial, with the series tied 2-2.
The Knicks dominated the Pacers, winning by a major margin 121-91. As a result, Carlisle was clearly frustrated and called the loss “very embarrassing” and “a hard lesson” for the team. He didn’t single out any one player for blame. Instead, he emphasized that the entire team shared responsibility for the poor showing.
This loss put the Pacers in a precarious position in the playoffs. While they didn’t necessarily get eliminated, they needed to win Game 6 at home to avoid going back to New York down 3-2 in the series.
Rick Carlisle’s Time with Indiana Pacers
Rick Carlisle’s tenure with the Indiana Pacers went from a high point to a disappointing finish.
Carlisle arrived in 2003 after Isiah Thomas’ firing, coinciding with Larry Bird’s return as President of Basketball Operations. In his first season (2003-2004), Carlisle led the Pacers to a phenomenal 61-21 record, the best in the NBA and a franchise record (including the ABA era). They also won the Central Division title.
The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals that year by eliminating the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat before bowing out to the Detroit Pistons. Carlisle even coached the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
The Pacers continued to win under Carlisle, but with a slight decrease. However, the 2006-2007 season saw a significant drop to 35-47. And, the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 1997.
Bird decided a change was needed and fired Carlisle. Carlisle understood the decision and acknowledged the need for “a new voice.”
Carlisle’s final record with the Pacers was 181-147. He was offered a front-office position but ultimately resigned, moving on to become a studio analyst for ESPN before taking the head coach job with the Dallas Mavericks.
Rick Carlisle’s second stint with the Indiana Pacers began in June 2021.
He inherited a team needing a rebuild. Key players like Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon were traded, and the focus shifted to developing young talent. A bright spot was Tyrese Haliburton, who Carlisle praised as an “elite young point guard.”
The Pacers missed the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023 with a combined record of 60-104. Despite the losses, Carlisle was rewarded for his commitment to the rebuild with a contract extension in October 2023.
The tide started to turn in the 2023-24 season with the acquisition of Pascal Siakam. Carlisle implemented a surprisingly fast-paced offense, a shift from his traditionally more defensive-minded schemes. The Pacers finished the season with a 47-35 record, good for the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Carlisle’s Pacers faced a tough challenge against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. As of now, the series is tied 2-2.
