Doyel: Pacers took us on a ride with the highest of highs, lowest of lows. Readers react.

Indianapolis Star

5 hours ago

The Pacers took us all on a ride, didn't they? The highest of highs – four buzzer-beaters by Tyrese Haliburton on the way to Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, are you serious? – and lowest of lows: A loss in Game 7, punctuated by the sight of Haliburton writhing in pain, physical and emotional, with a ruptured Achilles.
I've seen some things, in 30-plus years in this business. As far as highs, the 2025 Indiana Pacers were right up there with anything I've ever covered in person, along with two recent trips to the top – Purdue basketball to the 2024 NCAA title game and IU football to the 2024 playoffs – and, going back a bit, Stephen Curry's rise to international fame during the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
The lows? Not sure what compares to Haliburton's Game 7 injury. I've never sat in an arena muttering to myself, out loud – 'No, no, no, no, no' – as I was doing that night, with press-row neighbor Pacers insider Dustin Dopirak as my equally shellshocked witness.
Those highs – Purdue, IU, Steph Curry – came to me in an instant. So did the Marlins' 1997 World Series (I was covering the team for the Miami Herald). Sitting here for several minutes, I still can't come up with anything to compare to the shock of Haliburton's injury.
Readers in my IndyStar text group were similarly affected: Happiness, then sorrow. It's the Mailbagg™.
Re-live the Pacers incredible postseason run with our commemorative book
Doyel: Tyrese Haliburton injury in Game 7 a cruel end Pacers' magic ride
From: Joe V.
No clue why I'm writing this to you right now other than I'm still awake. What a season. I can't explain why exactly, but my whole family bonded so much over this team.
My son is 11, and seeing him cry as he watched his hero get hurt was gut-wrenching. Watching him stare at the game in silence after was even worse. Someday he will look back and appreciate the ride, and the wonderful times our family had at the playoff games we attended at Indy and Cleveland. Life is so busy and hard – for adults and children. I can't tell you how much our family needed the ride this team took us on.
Love this, Joe. Love it. At its best, for those of us on the periphery, sports can uplift a person, a family, a city. The Pacers did that for many of us this year, and sure, I include me.
The Pacers made me smile so many times this postseason. Tyrese Haliburton in particular made me smile with all those game-winners – I was gleefully shouting "WHAT?!?!" when he beat the Thunder in Game 1 – but even now I can giggle every time I picture Andrew Nembhard slowly, humbly trotting out during pregame instructions before the spotlight can find him. It's the big things, sure. And the small things.
From: Clark S.
I grew up with the ABA Pacers. I wanted this for Mrs. Leonard.
I'm lucky enough to count as a friend Nancy Leonard – beloved wife of the late Bobby "Slick" Leonard – and found her before Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Yes, an NBA title would've been wonderful for her specifically, but this ride gave her wings. Promise you that.
Pacers news: Nancy Leonard is back where she belongs ... at the Pacers' game
From: Dave C.
I think you captured the way our city feels today. Last night was the ultimate roller-coaster of emotions, capped off by the Pacers crawling back to within 10 points before the tank ran dry. They showed why we love this team so much.
I think you captured the way our city appreciates this team.
Tyrese Haliburton's injury ended the Pacers' shot at winning TWO titles because they had a great chance in Game 7 – and were going to enter next season among the top challengers to the Thunder for the 2025-26 NBA title.
And like that, it was gone.
Doyel: Pacers could taste NBA title. Now, we're all sick to our stomachs for what's next
From: Garrett H.
Saddest day in Indiana sports history. And that's saying something. We've seen some (stuff), Gregg. This is the kind of thing a franchise doesn't recover from.
Given the unique parameters of this Pacers run – their search for star that finally found Haliburton, their salary-cap limitations, the hard truth of free agency here – you're not entirely wrong. Will the Pacers come back, someday? Sure. Will they come back any time soon? Probably not.
Understand: Writing the truth doesn't always make me smile. But I'll never hold back. Ever. Not wired that way.
Game 6, start to finish – from visiting with Nancy Leonard beforehand to feeling the city explode in happiness afterward on Georgia Street – was a thrill to attend, watch and write about.
Doyel from Game 6: Pacers force a Game 7. Is this really happening? Yes 'Cers!
From: Dave C.
I was at the first Pacers game, in the standing-room-only crowd – floor level, behind a basket – back in October 1967. I've seen hundreds of games since. Can't say I've ever been this excited to watch one. Went with five of my high school buddies. I want to win this one for Jim and Dave, who aren't with us anymore. They would have so enjoyed this magical season.
I'm someone who believes they might just be watching from somewhere, and smiling.
From: Caryn T.
How late was it before you got to sleep? Your 'high on Game 6' excitement is almost tangible in that column. If your goal was to evoke an emotional response, mission accomplished.
What a question. Thank you Caryn. Game ended at about 11 pm. Interviews took an hour, then I wrote until maybe 1:30 am. Home to unwind with a snack, and reading 'The Black Ice' by Michael Connelly next to my dog, Cap. Asleep at maybe 3 am.
Cap woke me up at 8, as usual. Love him.
From: Mark L.
'The Pacers ripped out the Thunder's heart in the second quarter, then spent the third quarter eating it with a nice chianti.''
All that was missing from your sentence was Anthony Hopkins' delicious slurping sound – but I'm not sure how you would spell it. So good. Thanks for putting me at the scene from 750 miles away.
Love this Mark, thank you. My goal every time is to bring readers with me. And it sounded like this:
Ffff-fff-fff-fff-fff…
From: Paul H.
My dad took me to my first Pacers game when I was 6. I've now been a fan for 57 years, and Dad has been gone for 30 years. Regardless of a win or loss in Game 7 – and I believe we will win – my dad is smiling right now, and so am I.
I'm someone who believes your dad is absolutely smiling right now, Paul.
As I said, I like to take readers along with me. I get access behind the curtain. Who doesn't want a peek? I gave that to readers before Game 7.
Doyel: How grueling are the NBA Finals for Pacers? Here's a peek behind the scenes
From: John K.
Poor topic choice. Little sympathy here because NBA Finals teams had to play extra playoff games and are tired. A column not up to your usual standard of creative provocative thinking. Even the best have a sub-par day occasionally. This was yours.
You can say this. You can even believe it. Kyrie Irving says and believes the Earth is flat.
Picking up what I'm putting down, John?
From: Sid B.
I'm tempted to say that was your best column yet.
Oh, I don't know Sid. Might've been a poor topic choice.
From: Steve P.
Outstanding write-up. I can't imagine how worn down those guys are right now. Amazing...
Eh, it wasn't up to my usual standard of creative provocative thinking.
From: Bill B.
I'm driving with Focus turned on. I'll see your message when I get where I'm going.
Don't bother, Bill. Even the best have a sub-par day occasionally. This was mine.
From: Kelly L.
I would say he's threatening to sue you individually and as Mayor as well as the City.
No idea who this text message was intended for. Hope it wasn't me.
From: Barb O.
Just read what has to be your best article EVER, while sobbing my heart out. I watched Game 7 until midway through the third quarter, when I just couldn't take it anymore! But I didn't cry until I read your column. Then I sobbed.
Thank you once again, for writing from your soul. You sure touched mine.
Sure hope this was meant for me.
Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar. Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.