The Indiana Pacers just marched into Madison Square Garden and snatched not one, but two playoff wins from the New York Knicks.
While fans in Indianapolis are fired up about their 2–0 Eastern Conference Finals lead, head coach Rick Carlisle is already hitting the brakes—not on the momentum, but on any talk of cruising past the Knicks.
For the veteran coach, now is no time to get comfortable.
Carlisle Sends a Message to The Pacers: ‘It Gets Harder From Here’
Carlisle has been through the playoff grind more than most, and Friday’s win moved him into 10th place on the all-time postseason coaching wins list. So when he says things are about to get tougher, he means it.
Following the 114–109 victory in Game 2, Carlisle kept the locker room grounded, delivering a seasoned reality check instead of letting emotions run high.
“There are a lot of traps here,” Carlisle told reporters via NBA TV. “You can not assume going home is going to be easier, it never is. Each game as you ascend in a playoff series becomes harder.”
"You cannot assume going home is gonna be easier."
Rick Carlisle wants his guys to stay locked in as the ECF shifts to Indy 💪 pic.twitter.com/VBqmJW5zJV
— NBA TV (@NBATV)
That’s not just coach-speak either. The Knicks might be down bad, but Carlisle still respects their hustle. New York’s been gutted by injuries, but its energy is still relentless. That scrappy spirit that pushed it through the first two rounds hasn’t disappeared, and Carlisle knows that the second Indiana lets up, New York’s gonna take full advantage.
So what’s the message from the top? Stay locked in. Stick to the process. Keep the tempo fast. Win the boards. And don’t fall into the “we’ve got this” trap. Because the second a team starts playing for the scoreboard instead of the game, that’s when it all slips.
Indiana Holding the Wheel, But It’s Far From Over
The Pacers are riding high. After a dramatic comeback in Game 1, Indiana looked even more composed in Game 2. It wasn’t flashy—it was tough, the kind of performance championship-caliber teams deliver when the pressure’s on.
And they’re doing it on the road, too. The Pacers are now 6–1 away from home this postseason, proving themselves as true road warriors.
Still, Rick Carlisle isn’t interested in style points. He’s seen how quickly a series can turn and how fragile a lead can be. With Game 3 set for Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the veteran coach is focused on keeping his team grounded. He knows New York will come in hungry—and if Indiana isn’t locked in, the momentum could shift in an instant.
Yes, Indiana leads 2–0, and yes, the Knicks are reeling. But Carlisle isn’t celebrating just yet. Because in the playoffs, getting the lead is one thing—holding onto it is another.