How 'the good people at Gainbridge' heard the players' feedback and corrected the Pacers' tournament court after the first game

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle thanked the team behind the team for having their tournament court refinished prior to their second home game.

LAS VEGAS — In an effort to distinguish in-season tournament games from the regular season, the NBA’s marketing team introduced special courts for all 30 teams this season. Each team’s design was inspired by their City Edition uniforms.

The Pacers played in the first-ever tournament game back on Nov. 3, a 121-115 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

However, it didn’t take long to notice something was up with the new court.

On the first possession of the game, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen of the Cavs both slipped at the top of the arc while being screened, allowing Myles Turner to break free for a two-handed flush.

Then one minute later, Tyrese Haliburton slipped at mid-court and had to gather himself. The Pacers’ leader was delicate in his postgame answers, but it was clear — both in how he played and what he said — that he was never completely comfortable on the playing surface.

“It was slick to start the game and I don’t know if that’s a league-wide thing with the paint on the floor,” he said afterward. “Early in the game, I think everybody was a little concerned. I just felt like I was sliding everywhere.

“Hopefully it’s just a tonight thing.”

Turns out, it was.

The NBA and Pacers heard the feedback from the players and went into action. It was advantageous that they had three weeks to get it corrected before their second tournament home game.