Pacers become first team eliminated from playoff contention

It has been a stunning fall for the Pacers.

One year after reaching Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Indiana became the first team officially eliminated from postseason contention this season following Tuesday’s loss to the Kings, as relayed by Tony East of Circle City Spin.

The Pacers dropped their 10th straight and fell to 15-50. Combined with a win by the Hornets, Indiana can no longer catch the final Play-In spot in the Eastern Conference.

The latest defeat was particularly painful.

Indiana led by 20 points late in the third quarter before Sacramento stormed back. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the final stretch proved decisive.

“Crazy game,” Carlisle said. “End of the third quarter obviously was a big problem for us and their bench just played an unbelievable last 15 minutes. We did an awful lot of good things in the first two-and-a-half quarters, but unfortunately the last 18 minutes count.”

Injuries have played a major role in the collapse, most notably the season-ending Achilles tear suffered by star guard Tyrese Haliburton during last year’s Finals.

The loss does provide one silver lining. Indiana now holds the league’s worst record and the best odds at landing a top-four pick in the upcoming draft.