Pacers suffer franchise record 13th straight loss, hope Charlotte marks turning point
Despite a franchise-record 13-game losing streak, Indiana remains focused on development, resilience, and finding consistency as injuries persist. Plus, another national game dropped, Denari honored.
Good evening and welcome back to Fieldhouse Files. I’m down in Atlanta — where it’s an IU takeover ahead of the Peach Bowl Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Pacers hope a turnaround to their season begins Thursday night in Charlotte.
Indiana suffered its franchise-record 13th straight loss Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pacers won each of the first three quarters, then allowed Cleveland to score 11 unanswered points late and were outscored by 13 in the final frame of a 120-116 loss.
The defeat dropped Indiana to 6-31 on the season. Despite the result, head coach Rick Carlisle struck an upbeat tone afterward when discussing both the game and the broader circumstances.
“This is an extraordinary situation and we got guys that are fighting their butts off,” Carlisle said, “They really are and we did everything that we could possibly do in the first three quarters.
“I have I have zero question about this group and their character. … We’re not gonna make any excuses. We’re gonna continue to fight and play hard and believe in each other and what we’re doing and it’s gonna continue to be next man up.”
The Pacers are beginning to get healthier, but the wins have yet to follow. While the specific issues change from game to game, the overriding theme remains the same: an inability to put together a complete 48 minutes.
Tuesday was another example. Indiana controlled the game for three quarters before hitting a dry spell. Despite not being at full strength, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen played key roles in fueling Cleveland’s comeback.
Avoiding prolonged droughts — and the opponent runs that follow — remains essential.
“We’ve had some real progress even though the wins have been difficult,” Carlisle added. “We’re going to keep leaning into player development and communication and all that stuff. That’s the only way to go.
“Look, there’s no point in bellyaching about the circumstances. Let’s go compete. That’s it. Let’s go compete.”
Thirteen consecutive losses is rare. It had never happened in franchise history. And it has taken a toll on everyone involved — players, coaches, and staff alike. Players often point to their support systems, whether family or significant others, as the emotional weight continues to build.
Micah Potter, whose contract became fully guaranteed for the remainder of the season on Wednesday, said he leans on his faith.
“I think we’ve got a good group of guys that does the same we’ve got our Bible study,” he shared. “Just trying to lean on each other lean, on God, and a lot of prayer time. It’s hard but we’re grateful to be (playing) basketball.”
Injuries have only compounded the challenge. Center Isaiah Jackson will miss his ninth straight game due to a concussion, while Bennedict Mathurin remains without a timetable as he deals with turf toe and a sprained right thumb.
“You keep getting it hit and it’s on your shooting hand, it becomes more than a nuisance,” Carlisle said. “How long will he be out? I’m not sure.”
Starting point guard Andrew Nembhard was added to the injury report Thursday afternoon with low back soreness and was ruled out a few hours before tip-off in Charlotte — yet another key absence.
Indiana will try to take advantage of a Hornets team playing the second night of a back-to-back after a heartbreaking 97-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
Yes, the Pacers have endured a difficult season, one heavily shaped by injuries — but they’re not six-wins bad. They’re stuck in a rut and must find a way out together.
“We’ve got to find ways to find joy outside of winning,” Potter said. “And that’s the nice thing with me is my joy doesn’t come from basketball. My joy comes from my relationship with Jesus, and that’s the most important thing in my life. I’m so thankful for that.
“When you’re in a rut like this, it’s so easy to get down on yourself and sometimes blame a teammate or whatever. So trying to find ways to bring joy, that’s what I try to get the crowd into it, try to change the momentum, encourage our guys … so they can find their rhythm back, all those kinds of things. But it’s going to take time. We’re so close.”
The Pacers’ last win came Dec. 8. Since then, Carlisle has remained one victory shy of reaching 1,000 career wins — a milestone that, given the circumstances, will be one he remembers.
After Thursday’s game, the Pacers return to Indianapolis for a four-game homestand.
Another National TV Game Dropped
Prime Video has flexed out of Pacers at Thunder on Jan. 23, instead choosing to carry Nuggets at Bucks.
As a result, the tip time has been bumped up to 8 p.m. ET (from 9:30) and it will air locally on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana.
This is the fourth time in about six weeks that the Pacers have been moved off national TV. They were scheduled before the season to make nine appearances.
The three remaining national exclusive games:
Jan. 12 v Boston | Peacock
Mar. 13 v New York | Prime Video
Apr. 7 v Minnesota | NBC
Larry Bird Pops Up, Again
We haven’t seen much of Larry Legend since he stepped down from his role as Pacers president in May 2017.
However, for the second time recently, we got an update through his former rival: Magic Johnson.
Johnson posted an update to social media, along with photos. Johnson wrote that he and Bird spoke to a crowd of 4,000 at the Axon Company Kickoff in Phoenix, Arizona this week.
We had the crowd going crazy and they ate up all the stories about our rivalry! Thank you to Axon Enterprise CEO Rick Smith and Axon President Josh Isner for having us today! This was an incredible event for Josh because he idolized Larry Bird growing up.
Denari Named Indiana Sportscaster of the Year
I wrote before the season how Chris Denari entered his 20th season as the TV Voice of the Pacers, which also means he’s been paired with Quinn Buckner for that long. For a duo to be together for two decades says a lot about their work, professionalism, and chemistry.
This week, Denari was named 2025 Indiana Sportscaster of the Year — sharing the honor with Rob Blackman of the Purdue Sports Network.
“I’m flattered and honored to be the National Sports Media Association’s 2025 Indiana Sportscaster of the Year,” said Denari, who also won in 2022.
“There are many outstanding sports broadcasters in our state. I feel incredibly lucky to be the television play-by-play announcer for the Indiana Pacers on FanDuel Sports Network. I couldn’t do what I do without my on-air partners and the great crew behind the scenes that make our telecasts possible.”
The team highlighted the accomplishment on social media, and announced the news to the crowd at Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
See the video below, courtesy of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
Denari will be honored at the National Sports Media Association’s (NSMA) 66th annual convention June 28-29 in Greensboro, N.C.
Mark Boyle, the Radio Voice of the Pacers, has been the recipient five times — an award that’s been dominated by IU’s Don Fischer.
AS I reported last night and asked the "EMAIL" button does not work, on this one is no different. I just wanted to check and see!
Will these games be on Fan Duel also for people that don't have the top 2 premium accounts?The three remaining national exclusive games:
Jan. 12 v Boston | Peacock
Mar. 13 v New York | Prime Video
Apr. 7 v Minnesota | NBC