Rick Carlisle's poor coaching costs the Pacers another game and the series
By Ryan Stano
![May 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle reacts during the third quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports May 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle reacts during the third quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5309,h_2986,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/105/01hysdrqax9w7fszmpyy.jpg)
The Indiana Pacers lost Game 1 thanks to Rick Carlisle not using his timeouts at the end of the game. Despite having them available, he let Andrew Nembhard turn it over on an inbounds play. That led to Jaylen Brown hitting a three to send it to overtime and the Celtics ended up winning the game.
After the game, he owned the mistake. The Pacers knew that they couldn't have the same sort of mistake again from their coach. That was especially true with Tyrese Haliburton out for Game 3. Indiana needed their coach to not be a liability. That didn't happen.
Instead, Carlisle blew it again with his late-game tactics. The Pacers let the Celtics go on a 13-2 run to end the game to give Boston the 114-111 win. It was the last possession of the game that Carlisle screwed up, yet again. His refusal to call timeout was an issue.
After the Pacers got a rebound with just over ten seconds left, Carlisle decided not to call a timeout. Instead, he let Andrew Nembhard dribble himself into a turnover. That's the second time he's let Nembhard have a late-game turnover that costs the Pacers a victory.
Instead of being up 2-1, the Pacers are now down 3-0 and the series is over. They have no chance of coming back to win it. No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit. This is also the first time in two months that they have lost a game at home too.
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Carlisle is really good at implementing a culture and a process to help a team improve. His in-game coaching is abysmal, and it has been proven on the biggest stage. The Pacers will now end the season with a whimper after having a chance to make the NBA Finals.