Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle praised his team’s resilience after they secured a dramatic 119-118 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pacers closed out the series with a 4-1 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Carlisle acknowledged the tough challenge posed by the Bucks, especially with the intensity they brought to the game. “What they threw at us to begin the game and really throughout the game, that’s what champions do,” Carlisle said. “We didn’t respond well early, but we stayed with it and showed resilience, which we’ve been demonstrating all year.”
The game had a thrilling finish. Down by seven points with just 40 seconds left in overtime, Indiana mounted an incredible comeback. “Nembhard hits the three, we get a steal, Ty gets an and-one, and then we got fortunate,” Carlisle explained. “Fortune favors the bold, and our guys were bold in those final moments.”
Tyrese Haliburton, who scored 26 points and dished out 10 assists, was key in the final stretch. He hit the game-winning layup with just 1.3 seconds remaining. Carlisle praised his composure under pressure. “Tyrese has an iron will, and he works extremely hard,” he noted. “He’s unafraid in moments like these, reminding me a lot of Reggie Miller in his ability to rise to the occasion.”
Carlisle also highlighted Aaron Nembhard’s significant contributions, especially in Game 5. Nembhard added 19 points and 12 rebounds, including a critical three-pointer and steal in the final seconds. “He’s a warrior-type player,” Carlisle said. “He stepped up big, just like he did in Game 4.”
The Pacers had to adjust their defense throughout the game to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, who posted a monster stat line of 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists. “Giannis is a force. The numbers are ungodly,” Carlisle acknowledged. “We made adjustments to get Myles on him in key moments, but Giannis was still phenomenal.”
Carlisle also reflected on the team’s early struggles. Indiana found itself trailing 33-13, but the coach’s message was clear: “Hit somebody. We had to do a mental and physical reset to regain leverage,” he said. The Pacers responded with grit, cutting down Milwaukee’s lead and eventually overcoming the deficit in overtime.
T.J. McConnell’s play off the bench was another key factor in the win. McConnell delivered 18 points in just 17 minutes, providing a spark when the team needed it most. Carlisle praised his effort, noting, “He did his job tonight. He was everywhere.”
Looking ahead, Carlisle is aware that the Pacers face an even greater challenge in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will meet the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. But for now, the focus is on the team’s remarkable fight to advance.
“We’re very thankful and grateful to be moving on,” Carlisle said. “The next challenge will be daunting, but we’re ready.”
