Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle inadvertently blamed the Los Angeles Lakers for how the Denver Nuggets played in their most recent game.

The Indiana Pacers have been on an impressive run in 2025, playing some of their best basketball of the season. They currently hold a 16-5 record in the new year, showing that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.

It's back to the drawing board for Rick Carlisle and the Pacers after the Nuggets thoroughly outplayed them on both ends.

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle says the Denver Nuggets put the team in tough positions they didn't handle well.

Haliburton popped up on Indiana's injury report following Monday's 125-116 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The 24-year-old has been one of the NBA's most durable stars this season, appearing in 55 of 56 games thus far. His only absence this season was due to a mild strain in his left groin last month.

The Indiana Pacers defeated the LA Clippers 129-111 in a game Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Carlisle is infamous for his dislike of discussing lineup changes and announcements. However, following the Pacers' 1-2 stretch before the NBA All-Star break, he needed to explain his process for benching Bennedict Mathurin for Aaron Nesmith.

The Indiana Pacers beat the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and were able to mitigate some of the damage from one of the league's best players.

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Going back to the bench means Bennedict Mathurin's offensive approach could change and focus a little more on scoring than efficiency.