What Went Fallacious With Indiana Pacers? Redditors Blame Rick Carlisle’s Game 4 ‘Disasterclass’

With the 2025 NBA Finals transferring again to Oklahoma City for an important Game 5, the Indiana Pacers stay unfazed, not upset. Having blown a late lead in Game 4, the Pacers are using their trademark resiliency to rebound and react.

Indiana had a golden likelihood to take a 3-1 collection lead Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, forward 103-99 with lower than three minutes to play. But the Oklahoma City Thunder mounted a 12-1 surge to steal the sport, even the collection at 2-2, and steal away homecourt benefit.

Before we head to Game 5, what actually went mistaken with the Pacers down the stretch?

Should Rick Carlisle Be Blamed for the Late-Game Collapse?

According to NBA author Wheat Hotchkiss, head coach Rick Carlisle was easy in his evaluation of Game 4.

“I thought we played well for three quarters and struggled in the fourth,” the 65-year-old stated on Sunday.

That issue was mirrored on the stat sheet. Indiana was outscored 31-17 within the fourth quarter, capturing solely 5-for-18 whole and an abysmal 0-for-8 from exterior.

They additionally have been outrebounded 12-4 within the interval, 4-1 on the offensive glass, and had 10 fouls that resulted in 14 Thunder free throws. League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accounted for eight of these journeys to the road, igniting Oklahoma City’s rally.

NBA Fans on Reddit Called Out Carlisle’s ‘Disasterclass’

On the r/pacers Reddit discussion board, the unique poster detailed how the Pacers went off down the final quarter. They acknowledged some issues which may have been solved earlier.

“Felt like he sat Haliburton for far too long in the first half again, similar to Game 2. One thing is clear, the team is not the same with him off the floor and he should not sit for more than three to four minutes at a time. The team could not buy a bucket with Hali out and this allowed OKC to tread water. He is 25 years old and this is the NBA Finals, he can play 40+.

Not challenging the obvious charge on Jalen Williams that cost us three points. Not using a challenge in general — why? Plenty of worthy plays.

Not using a timeout or two to get the team re-oriented in the final three minutes. They could not get anything set whatsoever.”

The OP additionally criticized Myles Turner for going lacking in motion (MIA) down the stretch. There have been failed screens, and Obi Toppin ought to have gotten his minutes after a while from the bench.

Pascal Siakam’s Disappearance in Crunch Time

Another main concern was the restricted involvement of Pascal Siakam within the closing minutes. After pouring in a team-high 20 factors over three quarters, the All-Star ahead tried only one shot within the fourth.

Carlisle stated that he is one of many Pacers’ main weapons, however being absent from the offense signifies that Indiana should search for one other scorer on the crew.

Getting Siakam extra concerned within the closing levels of video games can be a precedence primary for Indiana going into Monday night.

According to 1 Redditor, the officiating within the recreation was horrible, to not point out Bennedict Mathurin’s fouls, which the Redditor claimed made no sense. The commenter added that Turner and Aaron Nesmith weren’t doing something in any respect. Obviously, it was an enormous mistake to disregard Siakam within the fourth quarter.

“People are blaming Rick for this? Wow. Team got outscored 31-17 in the 4th quarter. Blame the players,” an NBA fan wrote.

Blaming the Game Killer

While most commenters blamed Carlisle and the Pacers’ lame fourth-quarter efficiency, some claimed Scott Foster offered the sport for them.

“You don’t challenge a Foster call. You’ll burn the challenge and get nothing. He stand up there and smile, then screw you. Ask Denver and Boston fans. The man is a killer,” one commenter stated.” Rick did the right thing. Hali was tired. The team was tired, because some players didn’t play well and the rotation was shortened. You played one less big. You need more bodies because OKC rotated better and was less tired.”

“That makes 2 games in a row that Nesmith has fouled out, yet Caruso/Dort hasn’t received more than 3 fouls in a game. The shit is ridiculous,” one other Reddit person stated.

For some followers, blaming Mathurin’s essential free throws is what concluded the sport. Pacers might have inched nearer to OKC, however the hero of Game 3 missed an important photographs because the Thunder pounced on the chance.