Despite Injuries and Departures, Rick Carlisle and the Indiana Pacers Are Ready to Defy Doubt and Embrace the Challenge Again

The Indiana Pacers have walked this road before. Underestimated. Overlooked. Doubted. Written off by analysts, pundits, and opposing fanbases. History has placed them time and again in the shadows of louder, flashier franchises. But the shadows have never frightened the Pacers. They’ve made a home there. And it’s in that quiet, uncomfortable place—far from headlines and hype—where they’ve consistently built something tough, resilient, and unshakable.

Now, heading into the new NBA season, the odds feel taller than ever. Franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton is recovering from a lingering hamstring injury that derailed the final stretch of the previous campaign. His status for the start of the season is uncertain. Myles Turner, the longest-tenured Pacer and defensive anchor for nearly a decade, departed in free agency—ending an era defined by his rim protection and quiet leadership. Around the league, whispers have already turned into declarations: “Gap year.” “Rebuilding season.” “Take a step back.”

But Rick Carlisle isn’t interested in that noise. He’s heard it all before.

Carlisle has lived through just about every permutation of expectation the NBA has to offer. He’s coached teams with superstars and teams scraping the bottom of the talent barrel. He’s won an NBA championship, been fired, rehired, and reinvented. He knows the weight of pressure, but he also knows how to operate in its absence—when nothing is expected, when everything is seen as a longshot. That’s when he thrives.

In his second stint with the Pacers, Carlisle has been steadily reshaping the team’s identity. In just a few seasons, he led Indiana to consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances, culminating in their first trip to the NBA Finals since the Reggie Miller era. His system emphasizes spacing, movement, accountability, and selflessness—values that resonate deeply in Indiana. And while last year’s playoff run ended in heartbreak, it was a stark reminder that this franchise is no longer content to just compete. It wants to win.

Haliburton’s ascension to All-NBA status gave Indiana a superstar worth building around. His combination of court vision, pace, and unselfishness transformed the Pacers into one of the league’s most electric offenses. When healthy, Haliburton made everyone around him better. He pushed the tempo, found shooters in their spots, and ran the pick-and-roll with an artistry rarely seen in today’s game. But his injury changed everything. Without him, Indiana’s offense often stalled, lacking the creativity and poise he provided nightly.

Turner’s exit, meanwhile, leaves a defensive void not easily filled. A two-time blocks leader and the anchor of the team’s interior defense, Turner wasn’t just a shot blocker—he was a communicator, a leader by example, and a symbol of consistency in an ever-changing roster. His departure forces the Pacers to rethink their frontcourt strategy, possibly leaning on young bigs or exploring small-ball lineups more aggressively.

Still, despite all the setbacks, Rick Carlisle isn’t blinking.

He’s never needed the perfect roster to make noise. When the Mavericks won the championship in 2011, they did so with one true superstar and a cast of veterans and role players most believed were past their prime. Carlisle outcoached, outmaneuvered, and outwitted some of the best minds in basketball en route to that title. He understands how to mask weaknesses, emphasize strengths, and turn unheralded players into pivotal contributors.

That’s the vision in Indiana now.

With Haliburton sidelined to start the season, the Pacers will likely hand more responsibilities to Andrew Nembhard, who showed flashes of brilliance as a secondary playmaker and defender. Bennedict Mathurin, entering his third season, has the chance to evolve from pure scorer to two-way force. His growth—particularly on the defensive end—could be a swing factor in keeping Indiana competitive in a crowded Eastern Conference. Obi Toppin and Jalen Smith, both athletic and versatile, must step into expanded roles, particularly on defense and the glass.

But it’s not just about who steps up—it’s about how Carlisle puts them in position to succeed.

His coaching style blends structure with adaptability. He demands discipline, especially on defense, but he also gives his players freedom to express themselves within the flow of the game. The offense will still revolve around ball movement, pace, and spacing—even if the architects of that system are temporarily unavailable. Expect Carlisle to lean on mismatches, exploit weak defenders, and get creative with rotations. He’s never been shy about throwing out unconventional lineups if it means gaining a competitive edge.

Importantly, Carlisle’s belief in his players rarely wavers, even when others lose faith.

That belief has become a cornerstone of the Pacers’ culture. It’s why players like Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Isaiah Jackson have all taken noticeable strides in their development. It’s why veterans like Bruce Brown trusted Carlisle enough to sign in Indiana, and why younger players don’t fear being thrown into the fire. There’s an understanding within the locker room: If you play the right way, you’ll get your shot.

And that might be the most dangerous thing about Indiana right now.

They have nothing to lose.

With expectations at their lowest, the Pacers are once again positioned to be the league’s sleeping giant. Other teams might circle them on the schedule as an easy win, but Carlisle’s group has a habit of spoiling parties. They’ve beaten top contenders before. They’ve won in hostile environments. They’ve done it with grit, with energy, and with unity.

This season, that same formula applies—but with even more urgency.

Every game without Haliburton becomes a test of resilience. Every opponent underestimating them becomes an opportunity. And every night, Rick Carlisle will go to work doing what he does best—adjusting, teaching, and extracting every ounce of talent from his roster.

He doesn’t care about narratives. He doesn’t chase headlines. He builds from within.

And if the Pacers surprise the league again this year, it won’t be by accident. It’ll be the result of preparation, trust, and belief—a belief that’s been ingrained in the fabric of this franchise for decades.

Because this isn’t the first time Indiana has faced adversity. It won’t be the last. But every time the road has gotten steep, the Pacers haven’t looked for excuses. They’ve kept climbing.

And at the heart of that climb is Rick Carlisle.

He doesn’t wait for perfect conditions to make his mark. He thrives in the storm—when plans break down, when rosters change, when others walk away. That’s when his voice gets clearer, his strategy sharper, his influence deeper.

The upcoming season may not come with guarantees. It might not include a banner run or a flashy turnaround. But it will offer something even more powerful: a chance to rebuild character, to double down on culture, and to discover new leaders.

Because in Indiana, the journey has never just been about titles or talent. It’s been about resilience. About proving that a team’s identity isn’t tied to the injury report or offseason departures. It’s forged in how you respond when those things happen.

And if history is any indicator, Rick Carlisle and the Indiana Pacers aren’t going anywhere.

They’re just getting ready—again—to remind everyone exactly who they are.