'Sucked the air out of my lungs.' Grief, gratitude for Pacers fans after NBA Finals loss

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The Indiana Pacers lost 103-91 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, ending the team's hopes of returning home with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
The mood in downtown Indianapolis late on June 22 reflected that lost hope as thousands of Pacers fans walked out of Gainbridge Fieldhouse with their heads down or clenching fists in frustration.
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'When I saw Tyrese Haliburton fall to the ground, I knew in that moment," said Justin Bergstrom. "That sucked the air out of my lungs.'
'I had some hope return after we finished the second quarter strong, but then the third quarter happened, and I knew it was over.'
Many fans shared their concerns for Haliburton, who left the game after suffering an Achilles injury in the first quarter. Others reflected on the bigger picture of the Pacers' unanticipated run to the brink of an NBA championship.
'We had a magical season, and it was thanks to this team. It made this city wake up, it was an amazing experience,' said Andrew Kurniawn. 'This was a legendary season, and I am proud of what this team did.'
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Others, including fan Laurie Laine of Indianapolis, shared hope for a return to the finals next season.
"This has been the best season I've witnessed as a fan," Laine said.
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Pacers' NBA Finals run inspires Indiana basketball players
For every Pacers comeback and game-winning or game-tying shot this postseason, Hudson Aldrich became increasingly inspired. When the Fall Creek Valley eighth-grader tries out for the Cathedral basketball team next year, he'll use each Pacers rally as motivation.
'The Pacers hit these game-winning shots and did not give up until the clock hit zero. It's inspiring to me to never give up until it's over. Always keep going and giving your team energy,' Aldrich said. 'Next year, if we're down or need time to get up, I'll let my teammates know that we can still play because we got the ball in our hands, and there's time on the clock.'
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Despite the loss, Pacers fan Stedman Jones believes the team's first finals appearance since 2000 will encourage Aldrich's generation.
'The younger generation wasn't here to see what Reggie Miller did this 25 years ago,' Jones said. 'This Pacers run means a lot because the ones going through high school and AAU are up-and-coming basketball stars. They are seeing that it's possible to make it.'
Maddox Sykes acknowledged that the Pacers gave Indiana 'some love and light.' While Mason Reynolds described the loss as a 'gut punch,' he thinks the Pacers playoff success united the city.
'This run was not expected. Everyone had us counted out in every series we played in,' Reynolds said. 'We came back and won big games. The camaraderie of this city, seeing everybody having a good time. It felt like we were on vacation this past month with the Pacers run.'
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To Aldrich, the Pacers put the entire basketball landscape on notice. The Pacers are here and won't go away.
'It's crazy because I ain't never seen anything like this in Indy,' Aldrich said. 'The Pacers put us on the map, and seeing the whole town supporting them, it's cool. We've been called Naptown, but now we are Maptown."
IndyStar reporter Ethan Hylton contributed. Get IndyStar's Pacers coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Pacers Update newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Pacers fans share in grief, gratitude after NBA Finals loss