Pacers coach takes blame for loss to Celtics: “Totally…”

Rick Carlislecoach of Indiana Pacerstook full responsibility for the Indianapolis franchise's defeat to the Boston Celtics this last Tuesday, 21st, for Game 1 of the Finals of Eastern Conference. The visitors were winning the match until the last ten seconds. However, an error with the ball cost possession and allowed the Celts to equalize, with a decisive throw from Jaylen Brown. Because of this, the match went into extra time, where the home team ended up winning and taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

“This defeat is completely my responsibility. With ten seconds left, we should have called a timeout. Then, he advanced with the ball and found a way to score. So we could have made one or two free throws and ended the game.”, said Carlisle, after the game. Furthermore, the coach was not the only one to vent about the defeat. The shipowner Tyrese Haliburton He made a point of taking the weight off the coach's shoulders, placing himself as the main culprit.

“This loss is totally on me. With 10 seconds in regulation, we should have just taken the timeout, advanced the ball and found a way to get it in and made a free throw or two and ended the game.”

Rick Carlisle after Pacers-Celtics Game 1.pic.twitter.com/yHkQ54iVsX

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 22, 2024

“That’s not his (Carlisle) fault. I made two serious mistakes that, in my opinion, cost us the game. I understand that he is protecting us. But I take more responsibility than he should.”, said the player. One of the point guard's mistakes happened in extra time, when the Pacers were trailing by one point and had the ball to turn things around. But, Haliburton ended up committing a turnover when he stepped out of bounds.