BREAKING NEWS: Indiana’s Heartbreaking Loss to Notre Dame – Rick Carlisle Calls It a Mistake That Can’t Happen Again
BREAKING NEWS: Indiana’s Heartbreaking Loss to Notre Dame – Rick Carlisle Calls It a Mistake That Can’t Happen Again
Indianapolis, IN – January 4, 2025
In a stunning and emotional defeat, the Indiana Pacers lost to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a crossover exhibition game that many hoped would serve as a prelude to the Pacers’ playoff hopes. The loss has shocked fans across the state, leaving them reeling as the Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle reflected on a game that many believe should have been an easy win.
With a final score of 102-98, the Pacers came up short after leading for most of the second half. The loss, which comes just weeks before the regular season hits full stride, leaves questions lingering about Indiana’s execution and strategy. After the game, a visibly frustrated Rick Carlisle addressed reporters, emphasizing that this was a “mistake” that cannot be allowed to happen again.
“We had control of the game. We were in a strong position to win this, but we let it slip away in the final minutes,” Carlisle said during a post-game interview. “This kind of performance is not acceptable for a team with our goals. We need to clean up these mistakes. We have to learn from this loss, but more importantly, we can’t let it happen again. Our focus has to be sharper.”
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams. Notre Dame, known more for their football dominance, played with a passion and grit that caught many by surprise. The Fighting Irish’s coach, Mike Brey, praised his team for their resilience, especially in the fourth quarter when they outscored Indiana 28-14, capitalizing on critical turnovers by the Pacers.
Indiana’s star players, including Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, struggled to execute in clutch moments, turning over the ball multiple times in the final minutes. Haliburton, usually a calming presence, was particularly upset with his performance, pointing to a lack of focus as the root cause of the loss.
“I take responsibility for this. I could have been better,” Haliburton said. “We let them hang around, and when it mattered most, we didn’t execute. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but we’ve got to regroup and not let this linger.”
The most critical moment came with less than 30 seconds left in the game. With Indiana leading by two, the Pacers attempted an inbound pass to Turner under the basket, but it was stolen by Notre Dame’s senior guard, who quickly found a wide-open teammate for a go-ahead three-pointer. The Pacers were unable to recover, and the Fighting Irish secured the victory with free throws in the final seconds.
The loss left the Pacers’ locker room somber, with many players still processing what went wrong. However, Carlisle’s message was clear: this is a team that cannot afford to make mistakes if they are to contend for a playoff spot.
“We have to understand that every possession counts, whether it’s in the preseason, an exhibition game, or the regular season,” Carlisle stressed. “We can’t let games like this define us, but we also can’t ignore the lessons it teaches us. We’re better than this, and we need to prove it moving forward.”
The Pacers will face off against the Chicago Bulls next week, hoping to bounce back and erase the memories of this heartbreaking defeat. The fans, many of whom were still in shock after the game, will be hoping their team can refocus and come out stronger than ever before.
For now, it’s clear: Rick Carlisle is determined to ensure that this mistake will never happen again.
