Rick Carlisle Breaks Silence on Indiana Pacers Losing Myles Turner
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The 2025 Indiana Pacers Went On a Legendary Playoff Journey
The Indiana Pacers had one of the most memorable playoff runs in 2025. The Pacers’ NBA playoff journey became a symbol of resilience, heartbreak, and raw determination. This run wasn’t just about basketball. It was about defying expectations, uniting a franchise, and capturing the hearts of fans across the country. Even though they didn’t win the grand prize, they left their mark on basketball history. Despite Tyrese Haliburton’s injury, Indiana’s future appears bright because of this incredible adventure of this team. The crew of the 2025 Indiana Pacers is a tale of success, heart break, and change. The Indiana Pacers are a basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are currently in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA) The Pacers are currently playing in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the youngest team to reach the Finals since 1983. The team is coached by Rick Carlisle, the former head coach of the Indiana Fever.
Indiana Pacers Season Start
The Pacers’ 2024–2025 regular season did not get off to a good start. During the first few months, the team experienced injuries, defensive errors, and erratic shooting. However, after the All-Star break, Indiana recovered its rhythm under the guidance of All-Star Tyrese Haliburton and the hard hand of Head Coach Rick Carlisle.
They earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 50–32 record. Additionally, that mark provided them a home-court advantage in the first round. That was crucial to their early success.
Regular Season Resilience
After the All-Star break, the Pacers improved on almost all metrics. Once in the bottom 10 in the league, their defense moved up to the top eight. Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Pascal Siakam’s collaboration reached unprecedented levels.
Jarace Walker, a rookie, also developed significantly and contributed a much-needed paint presence. Their offensive style became clear. Quick-paced, selfless, perimeter-heavy, and ball-moving. On the defensive side of the ball, the Pacers played swarming, full-on attack defense, forcing teams into bad shot selection and creating turnovers.
2025 Playoff Run
The Milwaukee Bucks, who had a healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo, were a squad that few anticipated Indiana to destroy. However, they did just that. They won 117-109 to start the series and never looked back. Siakam’s 42-point explosion in Game 3 was the pivotal moment that determined the outcome of the rest of the series. Indiana needed to be able to negate the Bucks’ transition game.
The Indiana Pacers pulled off what many saw as the biggest upset of the 2025 postseason when they faced the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Haliburton led Game 2’s comeback with clutch three-pointers and late-game passing, which created a memorable comeback after the team was behind by 17 points with five minutes remaining. Myles Turner’s timely rebounds and defensive switches stopped Cleveland’s interior play.
In a historic and intense matchup with the New York Knicks, Indiana triumphed once more. They roared back with four victories in five games after losing Game 1 at home. Aaron Nesmith made a crucial corner three with 2.1 seconds remaining in Game 3. It led to a 2 OT thriller. With a series-long plus-minus lead and an average of 26.8 points per game, Siakam was named the ECF MVP.
NBA Finals Matchup
The Indiana Pacers entered the NBA Finals with considerable momentum behind them. Indiana had momentum going into the championship round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the youngest team to reach the Finals since 1983, but destiny had other ideas.
Game 1: Haliburton nailed a buzzer-beater to steal a road win.
Game 6: Indiana battled back from a 3–2 deficit, forcing a thrilling Game 7.
Game 7: A game destined for greatness turned tragic when Haliburton tore his Achilles.
Game 7 Tragedy
Haliburton got off to a fast start in Game 7, throwing up 5 assists and scoring eleven points in the first quarter. He appeared to be the MVP of the Finals. A catastrophe occurred halfway through the first quarter. Unharmed, Haliburton fell, gripping his ankle. Achilles’ tear was the official diagnosis a few moments later.
There was silence in the arena. Coworkers broke down in tears. Fans let out a gasp. The crew had lost its heart. Despite a valiant effort, the Indiana Pacers lost Game 7 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Haliburton now hurt, the Pacers continued to fight to the end.
Conclusion
More than just a run of victories, the Indiana Pacers’ 2025 NBA playoff run was a tale of success, heartbreak, and change. Even though they didn’t win the grand prize, they left their mark on basketball history. Despite the setback from Haliburton’s injury, Indiana’s future appears bright because of this incredible adventure.
Paul George makes suggestion after Tyrese Haliburton injury
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Pacers lost 103-91 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Paul George said on his podcast, Podcast P with Paul George, he knew how bad it was when it happened. George said there needs to be a better relationship between the player and the training staff with the front office. The injury is likely to force Haliburon to miss the 2025-2026 NBA season. The 76ers guard also said he had no regrets playing in the Game 7 and would do it again. The Pacers lost the game 103- 91 to the Thunder in the Finals. The game was the first game of the four-game series between the Pacers and the Thunder at the Indiana Pacers’ home court, Indiana Bank Stadium.
It was arguably the most heartbreaking sight of the NBA Finals. The moment when Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 left fans shaken.
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One of those fans was fellow NBA player Paul George. The 76ers guard emphatically stated on his podcast, Podcast P with Paul George, he knew how bad it was when it happened, per Hoops Hype.
“I knew it was over from the moment, you know, you saw that,” George said. “Um, which is unfortunate cuz he came out hot, you know what I mean? He came out as a leader. Um, you could tell he was ready. He was prepared. Um, and then I knew right away once I seen him fall down. Then they replayed it. He looked back to see what happened. And then you you could you know read his lips when shout out Josh Corbiel who uh you know the trainer that was there um the first respond there you you could see him say like yep yep he it’s done it’s done it like I did it I did it happened. So yeah I feel for him feel for him.”
Before Game 7, Haliburton injured his calf during Game 5, which put his status in doubt. He fought through it in Game 6 as he scored 14 points in only 23 minutes of play to force a Game 7.
Despite that, Haliburton had every intention to play in the do-or-die Game 7.
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The moment came in the first quarter as Haliburton fell to the floor and agonized in pain. He subsequently had to be helped back into the trainers’ room as the Pacers lost the title 103-91 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Paul George offers a suggestion to Haliburton and the Pacers’ medical staff
Haliburton boldly stated he had no regrets playing in Game 7 and would do it again.
To which George provided a recommendation for Haliburton and the Pacers medical staff going forward.
I think at the end of the day, it falls on the player, right?,” George said. “At the end of the day, it falls on the player. But I do think there needs to be a better relationship because I’ve been on, like I said, been on organizations where like I’ll tell them, “Hey, this this is like this don’t feel right.” like, “Oh, take this. You’ll be all right.” Yeah. And then, you know, something happens and it’s getting worse and it’s worse and it’s worse, but there need to be there needs to be a better, you know, I think relationship amongst the player and the training staff with the front office. But in this situation, like again, you’re not going to hold nobody out of a game seven. Like, you’re not gonna hold me out of a game seven quarts in KD’s situation. Yeah. We’re in the finals. like you’re not going to hold me out. And I was thinking like, damn, he should probably like Indie should probably sit him game three, right? They did their job.”
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The injury is likely to force Haliburton to miss the 2025-2026 NBA season.
Related: Brian Windhorst reveals what Tyrese Haliburton ‘won’ despite Pacers’ NBA Finals loss
Related: Rick Carlisle breaks silence on Myles Turner’s free agency
Pacers rumors: Myles Turner, Pacers hold ‘mutual interest’ on new deal in free agency
Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers are reportedly headed down a long-term contract extension. Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks for Indiana last season. Head coach Rick Carlisle said re-signing Turner to a new deal remains a priority ahead of the offseason. The NBA’s free agency period begins on June 30, with the Pacers expected to make a move for Turner early in the window. The Pacers came within one win of an NBA championship.
Turner and Pacers are expected to agree to a deal from the outset of free agency, per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.
“Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers are expected to get a deal done quickly when the free agency window opens on June 30,” Siegel reported.
Turner and the Pacers are expected to agree to a new deal quickly.
“The Indiana Pacers and starting center Myles Turner are expected to get a deal done early when the free agency period starts,” Siegel added. “Turner and the Pacers hold mutual interest on a new, long-term contract.”
Tuner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks for Indiana last season.
Rick Carlisle breaks silence on Myles Turner, Pacers free agency
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Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle addressed Myles Turner’s potential contract extension ahead of June 30 — when the NBA’s free agency officially begins. Without getting into the specifics, Carlisle said re-signing Turner to a new deal remains a priority ahead of the offseason.
Carlisle commented on Turner’s potential new deal, per 107.5 The Fan’s morning show.
“#Pacers HC Rick Carlisle said on @MorningShow1075 that re-signing C Myles Turner this offseason remains a priority,” The Athletic’s James Boyd said in a post. “Of course, Carlisle noted that he wouldn’t get into contract numbers or anything like that, but expressed complete faith in the front office.”
Coming off his first NBA Finals appearance, Turner will be entering his eleventh season with the Pacers.
Rick Carlisle Breaks Silence on Indiana Pacers Losing Myles Turner
Rick Carlisle Breaks Silence on Indiana Pacers Losing Myles Turner. The ten-year veteran was wholly expected to re-sign with the Indiana Pacers. He inked a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. Carlisle believes the Bucks offered him a “take it or leave it” deal and there was never a chance to counter. The Pacers didn’t find out until the news was initially broken by ESPN.
Leaving up until the minute Myles Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency, the ten-year veteran was wholly expected to re-sign with the Indiana Pacers, where he had spent his entire career.
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Turner inked a four-year, $107 million deal with the Bucks, and there were reports that the Pacers were only willing to offer $23 million per year.
Team president Kevin Pritchard suggested that the team, and ownership, were more than willing to go into the luxury tax to keep Turner, although he walked, and they didn’t find out until the news was initially broken by ESPN.
Rick Carlsile took the high road, not blaming Turner but rather the environment created by fierce negotiations.
“I think what probably happened, and this is part of negotiation in any sport, a team will say, hey, look, we have this offer, it’s this much over this many years. But if we make this offer, we need to know that you’re gonna take it and not shop it,” explained Carlisle on the Green Light podcast. “I believe that’s what probably happened with Milwaukee. They just jumped at it, and there was never, there’s never a chance to counter. Those things happen. And when they do, you just gotta keep going.”
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If the head coach is right, Turner never would have had a chance to see if the Pacers would have matched the offer, as the Bucks put him on the clock with a “take it or leave it” deal.
Of course, the reaction from his former teammates suggests that it was an open secret in the locker room that he was planning on leaving long before the offseason officially kicked off.
Check out the All Pacers homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Indiana Pacers’ Summer League Star Delivers Verdict on Rookies
Related: Indiana Pacers Tipped as Frontrunners to Land Five-Time All-Star in Free Agency
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Pacers’ front office breaks silence on ‘challenging’ Myles Turner decision
Former Indiana Pacers star Myles Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. The team’s president of basketball operations, Kevin Pritchard, spoke about the negotiations. He said the team was “fully prepared to go deep into the tax” to retain Turner. Pritchard also talked about the “challenging” aspects of the business, which are the sudden turn of events that can take place. He also said that change is inevitable, and that is, “expect the unexpected.” The Pacers made the NBA Finals last season, losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the final game of the season. The Bucks won the NBA Championship in 2012. The Pacers drafted Turner in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft.
First, Pritchard would say to the media that the team was “fully prepared to go deep into the tax” to retain Turner, according to WISH-TV News.
“I don’t want to get into the specifics of Myles, because the truth is, he gave 10 great years here, I loved having him be here, I hope I’m friends with him for a long time,” Pritchard said. I know this, that Herb Simon and Steven Rales, and the Simon family were fully prepared to go deep into the tax to keep him, and we really wanted to do that. And we were negotiating in good faith, but what happens in this league is sometimes you’re negotiating, but because a guy is unrestricted, he has the right to say, ‘That’s the offer I want, I’m going to take it, and that’s best for my family.’ And again, we were in good-faith negotiations.”
#Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard on Myles Turner signing with the Bucks: “Herb Simon and Steven Rales and the Simon family were fully prepared to go deep into the tax to keep him, and we really wanted to do that.” pic.twitter.com/Et8zTQUcHN — WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) July 7, 2025 Expand Tweet
Pacers’ Kevin Pritchard on “challenging” Myles Turner situation
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As fans wonder what the final offer the Pacers gave Turner was, he is now a part of the Bucks after 10 seasons with the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft. Prichard would speak about the “challenging” aspects of the business, which are the sudden turn of events that can take place.
“It was a little surprising that you know how Milwaukee created that. I don’t know if you know, we always say in our conference room, there are cap teams that have cap space, and there are shadow teams that have cap space,” Pritchard said. “You can go get but it becomes very challenging by buying out or making trades, and a hat tip to Milwaukee to do that. So I think the most important thing is, we were deep in conversations with Myles, and then, and then we saw that he’d accepted an offer with Milwaukee.”
“Again, that’s part of this business that is challenging,” Pritchard continued. “I can tell you this also, that there are two kinds of things that I believe that it was kind of fundamental to the league right now, and that is, change is inevitable, and expect the unexpected.”
At any rate, Indiana will look elsewhere to improve their team after making the NBA Finals.