Pacers extend contract of key figure in NBA Finals run

One of the architects of the Indiana Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals will be around for the foreseeable future.

The Pacers and head coach Rick Carlisle have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.

Particulars of the contract extension were not available.

Carlisle, 65, led the Pacers to a 50-32 record last season, which placed them fourth in the Eastern Conference. Indiana, which became known for its come-from-behind wins, ripped off a furious run to the NBA Finals, where the Pacers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games.

Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon early in Game 7 of that series, forcing the Pacers to alter their approach to 2025-26.

Still, Indiana made its first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years. (Carlisle was an assistant coach for that 2000 team under Larry Bird.) Carlisle is entering his fifth season since he returned as head coach of the franchise (he was also head coach from 2003-07) and is currently the oldest active head coach in the NBA.

Carlisle has posted a 993-860 (.536) mark in his 23 seasons as an NBA head coach, with his teams clinching a postseason spot 16 times. He led the Mavericks to the NBA title in 2011, when Dallas topped the Miami Heat in six games.

Among active coaches, Carlisle only trails Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers (1,162 wins) on the all-time wins.

But Carlisle will have his hands full in 2025-26.

The Pacers will be without Haliburton for the entire season, and former center Myles Turner, who had been the longest-tenured player with the team, signed with the rival Bucks.

‘Herb Simon, the Simon family, Steven Rales, Kevin Pritchard and our players make Indiana such a special place. Let’s go!’ Carlisle said in a statement announcing his extension.

News of Carlisle’s extension was first reported by NBA insider Marc Stein.

This story has been updated with new information.