Rick Carlisle gives Indiana a “hard” reality after tough loss to Raptors
The Indiana Pacers will return home with a bitter taste in their mouths after losing to the Toronto Raptors, 97-95, in the NBA Cup at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.
Brandon Ingram sank the game-winning jumper with 0.6 seconds left to give the Raptors their ninth straight win, improving to 14-5. The Pacers, meanwhile, fell to 2-16, including 0-10 on the road.
Indiana had a chance to steal the win or send the game into overtime, but Benedict Maturin missed his last gasp attempt.
But despite the loss, the Pacers coach Rick Carlisle remained pragmaticknowing it’s still early in the season.
“We’ve got some things we can build on. It’s just a matter of sticking together, understanding that everything is going to be difficult and accepting that challenge,” Carlisle said, as quoted by Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.
Carlisle: “We have some things we can build on, yes. It’s just a matter of staying together, understanding that everything is going to be difficult and accepting that challenge.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) November 27, 2025
With the score tied at 95-95, Pascal Siakam had a clear shot at the rim. He was blocked by Jakob Poeltl, however, setting up Ingram’s heroic bucket.
TJ McConnell led the Pacers with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists off the bench. Siakam had 11 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Maturin had 15 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Indiana has been hit by injuries, with McConnell, Maturin, Andrew Nembhard and Obi Taupin all missing. Of course, there are also Tyrese Haliburton, who is still sidelined with an Achilles injury.
The Pacers, however, have repeatedly shown they can bounce back, as evidenced by their memorable run to the NBA Finals last season. But it’s clear they need to right the ship as soon as possible.
2025-11-27 03:55:00
