Game 3 between Indiana and Boston turned out to be another nightmare for the Pacers. Despite having control of the game for most of the night, Indiana was hit by Boston’s offense in the final quarter. Still left with a chance to tie the game in the final seconds as Boston led by 3, we saw the Pacers pull out an NFL-style move from their playbook to try and break the Celtics’ defense. While the Pacers’ unorthodox strategy did work and they were able to get a good look, they ended up losing 111-114. Unsurprisingly, Pacers fans were not happy with head coach Rick Carlisle even though he revealed the inspiration for his unusual final play.

Trying to confuse the Celtics’ defense, the Pacers lined up on their side of the court just like wide receivers as Nembhard prepared to throw the inbound pass. Then, once the whistle blew, they sprinted together to the offensive end while Nesmith cut to the corner to receive the pass for an open look. Unfortunately, the forward’s shot hit the side of the rim and the Pacers lost. After the game, one reporter asked Carlisle why he ran the football-style play on such a big stage. “Hand you our playbook, is that what you want?” Carlisle hilariously responded.

The head coach further revealed that the play was designed by Pacers assistant coach Mike Weinar, and that they have used it a couple of times before today. More importantly, they have always gotten a good look with that play which led to Carlisle drawing it up during the crucial Game 3 finish. Even tonight, that play led to the Pacers getting a clean open shot. So, while Carlisle didn’t get the outcome he wanted, his decision might have been correct.

However, this didn’t seem to have gone well with Pacers fans.

Pacers fans demand big change after Game 3 loss

While Carlisle gave his reasoning on the final play, fans still couldn’t fathom how the Pacers gave up an 18-point lead on their home court and ended up losing. With them being down 0-3, the series is practically over for Indiana as no team in the league’s history has ever overcome that deficit and won. So, Pacers fans unleashed their pent-up frustration on Carlisle after witnessing the horrible choke job from his team.

Sharing the iconic choke sign that Tyrese Haliburton did during the All-Star weekend after Indiana’s team won the Skills challenge, one fan compared it to Carlisle’s coaching tonight while another wanted the head coach fired mid-season.

Meanwhile, another netizen believed that Carlisle was the reason the Pacers lost while Andrew Nembhard gave it his all to get his team the win. In Haliburton’s absence, Nembhard carried the Pacers and scored 32 points in the loss.

One basketball enthusiast even disregarded the notion that the Pacers will be a scary team next year, claiming that it won’t be possible if Carlisle remains the head coach. Even if the Pacers lose this year, they have proven their mettle by reaching the Conference Finals after a three-year playoff drought. But will they be successful next year under the same head coach?

Calling Carlisle an “idiot”, one Pacers faithful answered a Celtics fan’s query about how Indiana lost tonight’s game despite the huge lead.

Adding to the disrespect, one fan even compared Carlisle’s attitude to Darvin Ham’s hands in the pocket meme. Ham was the butt of the joke after he was seen with a careless attitude during crucial Lakers games, and according to this X user, Carlisle did the same tonight.

As fans continue slamming Carlisle and demand the Pacers to fire him, he will have to make sure that the Pacers don’t get swept in the next game. Otherwise, his future could be in jeopardy despite the dream run to the Conference Finals.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow in what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.