Pacers First Team Knocked Out of Playoff Race After Collapse Against Kings
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The Indiana Pacers were mathematically removed from postseason contention on Tuesday night, becoming the first NBA club to hit that fate this season after a 121-118 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
The defeat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was Indiana’s 10th in a row and dropped the team to 15-50. When combined with the Charlotte Hornets’ victory the same evening, the result ensured the Pacers can no longer reach the final Eastern Conference Play-In position.
Indiana appeared in control, leading by 20 points late in the third quarter, before Sacramento closed the period on a surge and dominated the final 15 minutes. “End of the third quarter obviously was a big problem for us, and their bench just played an unbelievable last 15 minutes,” head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. “We did an awful lot of good things in the first two-and-a-half quarters, but unfortunately the last 18 minutes count.”
Injuries have plagued the Pacers throughout the year, most notably a season-ending Achilles tear suffered by star guard Tyrese Haliburton during last season’s NBA Finals. The roster turmoil has contributed to a dramatic fall for a franchise that pushed its championship series to seven games only a year ago.
There is one potential benefit to the slide: Indiana now owns the league’s worst record, giving the club the best statistical odds of landing a top-four selection in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Source: Hoops Wire
