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The Colts are going to have added pressure from the Indianapolis fan base after the Pacers' season ended in heartbreak

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Destin Adams | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 3:44 PM ET

The city of Indianapolis just experienced one of the most magical runs in playoff history, no matter the sport, watching the Indiana Pacers fight their way to a game seven of the NBA Finals.

Sadly, the ending wasn't as magical, with their season coming to an end with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Many called this team "The team of destiny" due to the numerous magical moments and wins they achieved over the past few months. To make the loss hurt even more, the franchise's centerpiece, Tyrese Haliburton, suffered a torn Achilles during the first quarter, and on top of having to miss the remainder of yesterday's game, will now most likely miss all of next season. The Pacers are obviously going to feel his absence, but I think the effects will also be felt by the Indianapolis Colts this season.

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The Pacers' playoff run showed how strong the Indianapolis sports fan base truly is

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The Colts' struggles over the past five seasons have taken a toll on their fans. A dangerous thing has spread across the fan base, disinterest, which has many more pessimistic than ever. This run by the Pacers, though, shows how engaged the Indianapolis sports fan base truly can be. When given a team that shows promise, they are passionate and fully bought into their fandom. The Colts can certainly learn a thing or two from the Pacers, especially how they brought this fan base back to the glory days of Peyton Manning and Reggie Miller in the city's history. The blueprint is now there, the Colts just have to be better and follow it.

The effect of Tyrese Haliburton's heartbreaking injury has a major impact on the upcoming future of Indianapolis sports as we know it

Haliburton's injury makes the Pacers' chances of preparing the incredible success we've seen over the past two seasons in serious doubt. And if they truly drop out of the spotlight, the fan base could be in danger of losing their rooting interest due to their NBA and NFL teams seeming destined to be average at best. The pressure on the Colts' shoulders has now increased significantly to win in 2025. For the sake of Chris Ballard, Shane Steichen, and Anthony Richardson's jobs with the team, the pressure was already through the roof. But now it's even bigger than them; this is about the entire Indianapolis sports landscape as we know it.

Keeping the magic and fan traction the Pacers created is crucial. If the Colts can finally put a complete season together and make their way back to the playoffs, it could do wonders for the mental state of the fan base. But if they have to watch the Colts put up another year of mediocrity while they await a Pacers season that will be without their star player, morale could hit an all time low.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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