Pacers coach Rick Carlisle using finals platform to bring awareness to food insecurity in Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — At the NBA Finals, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle is trying to shine a light on what he considers an important cause.
Carlisle often has been seen wearing a QR code on his shirt — one that directs interested scanners to a site for his Drive & Dish initiative, something he founded about two years ago to raise money for battling food insecurity across Indiana.
So far, the program has raised more than $1 million. Carlisle and the Pacers have also made donations to the charity, which served more than 1,000 households and distributed more than 250,000 pounds of food in in its first year.
'Each year we've been able to help more people,' Carlisle said Friday night before Game 4 of the finals between the Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. 'People in Indiana should never have to deal with food insecurity. There's plenty of food in Indiana. The challenge is logistics. So, this charity helps with logistics.'
The program has partnered with Spokenote, which provides the technology behind the scannable code. The Pacers and Spokenote also collaborated last year on the first scannable code on a jersey in the four U.S. major pro sports leagues.
Another partner is the Gleaners food bank, which works with Drive & Dish in providing fresh food, produce, eggs and more to families who need help. Carlisle said when the program started, about 1 million people in the state were considered food insecure — or in other words, unsure where their next meal was coming from.
The Pacers plan to help the program grow as needed across the state over the next decade.
'It's been a great effort,' Carlisle said. 'I've got some really great people that are supporting it. I'm very grateful.'
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
34 minutes ago
- National Post
Canadian superstar Gilgeous-Alexander evens up NBA Finals with huge finish
INDIANAPOLIS — Game on the line, season quite possibly on the line, the Oklahoma City Thunder had only one place to turn. Article content They went to the MVP. Article content And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered, scoring 15 of his 35 points in the final 4:38, capping Oklahoma City's rally from a 10-point, second-half deficit and sealing a 111-104 win over the Indiana Pacers 111-104 on Friday night to tie the NBA Finals at two games apiece. Article content 'He definitely showed who he is tonight,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. Article content It was all SGA for OKC down the stretch. The Thunder closed the game on a 16-7 run; he had all but one of those points. Article content 'We played with desperation to end the game,' Gilgeous-Alexander said, 'and that's why we won.' Article content Jalen Williams added 27, Alex Caruso had 20 and Chet Holmgren finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Thunder. They did it the hard way — with a season-low three 3-pointers, and no assists from Gilgeous-Alexander for the first time all season. Article content Pascal Siakam scored 20 for Indiana, which got 18 from Tyrese Haliburton and 17 from Obi Toppin. Article content Game 5 of the series — now essentially a best-of-three — is at Oklahoma City on Monday night, with the Thunder now having reclaimed home-court advantage. Article content 'This kind of a challenge is going to have extreme highs and extreme lows,' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. 'This is a low right now and we're going to have to bounce back from it.' Article content Article content The Thunder basically saved their realistic chance at winning the title. Teams with a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals have gone on to win the championship 37 times in 38 past chances. The Pacers looked well on their way to being the 39th team with such an edge, before Gilgeous-Alexander saved the day. Article content 'We knew it when we woke up this morning; 3-1 is a lot different than 2-2 going back home,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. Article content The Pacers came out flying, scoring 20 points in the first 4:59 — only the second time all season the Thunder gave up so many so quickly. They led by as many as nine early, but were unable to pull away. Article content And things got chippy for the first time in the series: Toppin was called for a Flagrant 1 on Caruso midway through the second quarter, then Toppin was the recipient of a Flagrant 1 from Lu Dort just before the half. The Pacers closed on a 15-6 run, taking a 60-57 lead into the break. Article content Toppin's baseline dunk late in the third put Indiana up 86-76, its first double-digit lead of the series coming late in the 15th quarter of the series. Back came OKC: A 13-3 run tied the game early in the fourth at 89, the first of a handful of those down the stretch.
Toronto Sun
40 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Canadian superstar Gilgeous-Alexander evens up NBA Finals with huge finish
'He definitely showed who he is tonight,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. Published Jun 14, 2025 • 2 minute read Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts a layup against Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter in Game Four of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 13, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images INDIANAPOLIS — Game on the line, season quite possibly on the line, the Oklahoma City Thunder had only one place to turn. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account They went to the MVP. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered, scoring 15 of his 35 points in the final 4:38, capping Oklahoma City's rally from a 10-point, second-half deficit and sealing a 111-104 win over the Indiana Pacers 111-104 on Friday night to tie the NBA Finals at two games apiece. 'He definitely showed who he is tonight,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. It was all SGA for OKC down the stretch. The Thunder closed the game on a 16-7 run; he had all but one of those points. 'We played with desperation to end the game,' Gilgeous-Alexander said, 'and that's why we won.' Jalen Williams added 27, Alex Caruso had 20 and Chet Holmgren finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Thunder. They did it the hard way — with a season-low three 3-pointers, and no assists from Gilgeous-Alexander for the first time all season. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Pascal Siakam scored 20 for Indiana, which got 18 from Tyrese Haliburton and 17 from Obi Toppin. Game 5 of the series — now essentially a best-of-three — is at Oklahoma City on Monday night, with the Thunder now having reclaimed home-court advantage. 'This kind of a challenge is going to have extreme highs and extreme lows,' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. 'This is a low right now and we're going to have to bounce back from it.' The Thunder basically saved their realistic chance at winning the title. Teams with a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals have gone on to win the championship 37 times in 38 past chances. The Pacers looked well on their way to being the 39th team with such an edge, before Gilgeous-Alexander saved the day. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We knew it when we woke up this morning; 3-1 is a lot different than 2-2 going back home,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. The Pacers came out flying, scoring 20 points in the first 4:59 — only the second time all season the Thunder gave up so many so quickly. They led by as many as nine early, but were unable to pull away. And things got chippy for the first time in the series: Toppin was called for a Flagrant 1 on Caruso midway through the second quarter, then Toppin was the recipient of a Flagrant 1 from Lu Dort just before the half. The Pacers closed on a 15-6 run, taking a 60-57 lead into the break. Toppin's baseline dunk late in the third put Indiana up 86-76, its first double-digit lead of the series coming late in the 15th quarter of the series. Back came OKC: A 13-3 run tied the game early in the fourth at 89, the first of a handful of those down the stretch. Tied at 91. Tied at 95. Tied at 97. And, finally, the lead: Gilgeous-Alexander's step-back with 2:23 left put the Thunder up 104-103, their first lead of the second half. They kept it the rest of the way. 'We wanted to win,' Siakam said. 'I thought we played well enough for some stretches … but unfortunately, it didn't happen.' Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Golf Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
The ties that bind: The WNBA's Fever and NBA's Pacers are more than just neighbors in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark is doubly disappointed about how the NBA Finals are going right now. One, the Indiana Pacers lost Game 4. Two, Clark can't be there for Game 6. Clark and the Indiana Fever have a good reason for why they won't be at the Pacers' last home game of the season on Thursday, when Indiana — which will be either up 3-2 or down 3-2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder by then, depending how Game 5 on Monday goes — plays host to Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The Fever will be at Golden State that night, playing the expansion Valkyries. 'I was hoping they'd win it in five,' Clark said. That can't happen now. But somehow, some way, the Fever will be paying some sort of attention to what's going on at home Thursday night. The Pacers and Fever aren't just neighbors. They're basically basketball family. They have the same ownership, play their games in the same building, cross paths with the other all the time. And they rave about one another, with players from one team almost always cheering on the other. 'I think young kids, if you watch basketball, you turn on and watch the Pacers,' Clark said. 'It's unselfish. They play for each other. They play fast. They play up-tempo. They do things the right way. Whether you're a starter or whether you're coming off the bench, you're giving everything you can to your team. It's really fun to watch.' Much has been made of how this is a special time for basketball in basketball-mad Indianapolis, and the Pacers and Fever are both reveling in it. The Pacers played host to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and went to the Eastern Conference finals last season. The Fever flipped how many people think about the WNBA last season in Clark's rookie year, with swarms flocking to their games — home and away — to see the former Iowa star play. There's the NBA Finals going on now. The WNBA All-Star Game is coming to Indy this summer, and it's not hard to envision Clark and the Fever making a deep playoff run of their own this year. 'She's an incredible player, someone that I have a ton of respect for, also a good person,' Pacers guard T.J. McConnell said. 'I've been following her career, especially when she got drafted by the Fever. We all are happy to have her in Indy. It's been fun to watch.' Clark and Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton are close friends, and that's just one of the many real and deep ties between the franchises. It's not a big deal to see Pacers players at Fever games; it always happens. It's not a big deal to see Fever players at Pacers games; they're always there, too. 'It's been amazing watching the Pacers,' Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said. 'They're so much fun to watch. I think we resemble their team quite a bit in the way we move the ball and the way we're trying to play.' Fever coach Stephanie White played her high school and college basketball in the state of Indiana, then spent the bulk of her WNBA playing career with the Fever. Nobody needs to explain to her what the game means in the state. 'I was here the last time the Pacers were in the finals, back in 2000,' White said. 'I remember being in the building and just feeling all that energy. It's exciting. There's no better place, the epicenter of basketball in Indiana and Indianapolis.' She sees some parallels between how the Pacers built a contender and how the Fever are trying to become one again. 'The way that they've built and rebuilt with the roster, the patience that they've shown in the roster and in roster movement, the adversity that they faced early in the year,' White said. 'They were this fast, exciting offensive team a year ago to being a solid defensive team that has won regular-season games and playoff games for them when the offense wasn't really flowing.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Soon, the Fever will be the only game in town again. The NBA season is nearly over. There are either two or three games left. And then, the Pacers will take their seats in the crowd to watch the Fever for the next few weeks. Clark made it clear: The teams really do get a benefit from being around the other. 'More than anything they're just really good people,' Clark said. 'They're good guys. So, I've been really fortunate to be here during this time.' ___ AP NBA:
