Fans are up in arms after a controversial call that angered Rick Carlisle

The first few days of the 2025-26 NBA season have been pretty weird. The Oklahoma City Thunder went into two double-overtime games to start the new campaign, and they also at the center of the timeout controversy in each of those competitions. But on Thursday night, in the rematch of the NBA Finals against Indiana PacersIt was the Thunder who benefited from the official’s time-out decision.

With 22.5 seconds left in the game, Pacers forward Obi Taupin drove the ball all the way to the rim and made a layup to cut the Thunder’s lead to four, 139-135. Now the Pacers’ chances of winning the game were very slim. But Indiana is a team that goes all the way. Toppin, in particular, pulled off a crazy steal on Chet Holmgren’s layup attempt against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the baseline — or so Indiana thought.

Just as Topin caught the basketball, the officials it’s called time-out for the Thunder from the opposite end of the court, much to the ire of the Pacers. Head coach Rick Carlisle was particularly angry and vigorously protested the decision.

The refs call the Thunder a timeout when the Pacers steal an inbounds pass. Rick Carlisle is angry pic.twitter.com/NCpRpKNCf2

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 24, 2025

The Pacers, sooner than later, would still have lost the game even if Toppin’s steal had counted at the end of the count and he had been able to turn it into two quick easy points. The Thunder would still have a two-point advantage (139-137), and they could have advanced the ball into the frontcourt, which would have created an opportunity for the unstoppable Gilgeous-Alexanderwho finished with a record 55 points tonight.

Pacers fans end up expressing anger at the timeout call

In a familiar story, the Pacers, despite giving the Thunder their best shot, ultimately fell short of their goal of beating OKC. They were already facing heavy odds to beat the Thunder due to Tyrese Halliburton’s injury. But the fact that this decision goes against them has further angered the fans.

“Free throws are crazy, but in the end, the timeout screwed the Pacers. No matter what team you root for, you can’t defend them by giving the Thunder a timeout while the other team had possession,” @KrandonMartin wrote.

“Obi Toppin intercepted the pucks up 6 with 25 seconds left and the refs blew the whistle to give the Thunder a timeout AFTER the interception that game wasn’t right 😭😭😭,” @caistealan he added.

“The FBI needs to investigate SGA and the Thunder immediately. Felt just like the finals where he got every call until the Pacers got nothing. That was absolutely crazy how Toppin got an inbounds steal only for the refs to call timeout while they were out of possession. Bulls**t,” @MeovsclesKitty further.