Image Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

NBA Finals 2025: Head Coach Rick Carlisle Discusses Reason For Indiana Pacers’ Game 2 Loss vs OKC Thunder

Pacers' head coach Rick Carlisle talks about their Game 2 loss vs. Thunder.

Image Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Indiana Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle pointed out the reason behind their loss in Game 2 of the NBA Finals 2025 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Notably, Indiana kicked off the best-of-seven series with an incredible come-from-behind victory, owing to the last-moment dramatic shot by Tyrese Haliburton. However, they couldn’t continue their momentum in Game 2 on Sunday, and fell to their heavyweight rivals in a blowout fashion.

Following the defeat, head coach Rick Carlisle talked about the reason which pushed the Thunder to even the series 1-1. In his media availability, Carlisle said that their poor form in the first half was the primary reason they suffered a 123-107 loss. “Another bad first half,” the 2011 NBA Championship winning coach said. “Obviously it was a big problem. We just played poorly. A little better in the second half. You can’t be a team that’s reactive and expect to be successful or have consistency.”

Notably, the Pacers fell short of 23 points in the first half, which turned out to be the largest deficit of the game. Haliburton, who is his team’s rising star, could only come up with 24 points in the first half of the game. Though he finished with the team-leading score of 17 points, the lack of effort in the opening half slipped the victory away from them.

The Pacers have had quite a few games where they struggled in the opening half but Haliburton has come to their rescue throughout the playoff campaign with his clutch baskets. In both games of the NBA Finals, Indiana as a team, as well as Haliburton as a player failed to make an impact in the beginning. In Game 1, he scored just six points during the first half and had only three points in the first two quarters of the Sunday-night clash.

There is no doubt in the fact that the Pacers, especially Haliburton, have made a mark for their staggering comebacks in the second halves. However, they just cannot rely on their ability to complete a comeback and need to come up with powerful starts. Head coach Rick Carlisle and his staff are in dire need to plan better strategies that would help them have the control of the game, especially against a defensively resolute team such as the OKC Thunder.

Tyrese Haliburton Reflects Upon Poor Performance in Opening Half in Game 2

Following the defeat in Game 2, the Indiana Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton reflected on his performance in the first two quarters. The two-time NBA All-Star said, “I think I’ve had two really poor first halves. I just have to figure out how to be better earlier in games.” Apart from his 17 points, three rebounds and six assists, Haliburton committed five turnovers. Talking about it, he praised Thunder’s defense and said that he would work upon where he can get better.

The 25-year-old said, “They are a great defensive team but (I’ll) watch the film and see where I can get better.” Talking about the next leg of the series in Indiana, Haliburton said, “It’s still a race, first to four. We are going to our home court tied 1-1, and we love playing at home. So just see where we can get better, and yeah, take it a day at a time.”

In the third game of the series, both teams will lock horns on Wednesday, June 11 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Indiana Pacers

NBA Finals 2025

Rick Carlisle

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.