Rick Carlisle: We just kept chipping away at the rock

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle explains how his team rallied to win Game 1 vs. the Thunder.

After a sloppy first half with 19 turnovers, Rick Carlisle told his Pacers to stay focused: “We were only down nine. Keep chipping away.” Indiana overcame a 15-point deficit in the fourth, sealing a 111-110 win.

Carlisle praised Andrew Nembhard for his two-way impact and Pascal Siakam for his composure, stressing the team’s maturity. “We didn’t celebrate much,” he said. “It’s about staying present and aggressive.”

He closed by highlighting player development as Indiana’s foundation: “This is a group we’ve invested a lot in. This series is fascinating because both teams are built around young talent.”