Rick Carlisle agrees to multiyear contract extension

The Indiana Pacers have agreed on a multiyear contract extension with head coach Rick Carlisle, the team announced in a Thursday release. 

"It goes without saying that Coach Carlisle is one of the most creative and successful coaches in the history of the league, so there was never a question that he continues to be the right person to lead our team," Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said in a Thursday statement. "His ties to this organization and community run deep, his guidance and leadership are invaluable to our players and staff, and we're looking forward to working together for years to come as we build something special for our fans."

Carlisle earned his 897th career win on Wednesday. The Pacers defeated the Washington Wizards in a 143-120 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Guard Tyrese Haliburton scored 20 points and dished 11 assists in the home win. Guard Andrew Nembhard added 12 points and 10 assists off the bench.

The Pacers may have a young team on the rise with plenty of talent on the roster. Haliburton earned his first All-Star selection during the 2022-23 season. 21-year-old guard Bennedict Mathurin earned a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie First Team last year. The Pacers ended their 2022-23 campaign with a record of 35-47 after garnering 25 wins the year before.

The Pacers' young core can only benefit from continuing to grow with a veteran coach who has had plenty of experience with Indiana in the past.

Carlisle, a former assistant for the Pacers, first became an NBA head coach with the Detroit Pistons in 2001. He earned his first head coaching stint with Indiana from 2003–07 before the Dallas Mavericks hired him to be their head coach in 2008. The former Boston Celtics guard helped guide the Mavericks to an NBA championship in 2011. The Pacers hired Carlisle again in 2021.