Indiana

3 negatives and 1 positive from Indiana's game 1 loss to Milwaukee

Published

2 years ago

April 22, 2024

3 negatives and 1 positive from Indiana's game 1 loss to Milwaukee

Game 1 of the Pacers’ playoff run is in the books, and it was a rather forgettable one, to say the least.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo out to start the series, Indiana was hoping to steal game 1 on the road and possibly even game 2 to return to Indiana up 2-0 fully prepared for his return. After all, with a 4-1 series record against the Bucks in the regular season, why wouldn’t the Pacers feel confident, especially with Milwaukee missing their best player and a top-five player in the league for the first game or two?

Tip-off was at 7 PM, and hopes for high for Indiana to start off their first playoff series in four years with a win, their first in six years. Unfortunately, they will have to keep waiting for that.

To say the least, this was not Indy’s night. In the first quarter, the Pacers kept it relatively close, trailing 21-30 at the end despite missing all of their three-pointers. Unfortunately, this was as good as they had it. In the second quarter, Milwaukee broke open the game behind 16 Damian Lillard points to go with his 19 in the first quarter to the tune of 35 first-half points. Once again, Indiana couldn’t buy a bucket, going 6/18 from the field and 3/9 from deep and only scoring 21 points, essentially ending the game in the first half with a 42-69 deficit.

The third quarter looked to be a different story. Indiana improved their scoring to the tune of 29 points on 44% shooting and, most importantly, held the Bucks to 33% from the field and only 14 points. Going into the fourth quarter down 13 points, there was a chance Indiana could turn this monumental deficit into, if not a win, at least some confidence going into the next game.

Unfortunately, they had to settle for the momentum, as Indiana just couldn’t get the shots to fall, shooting 2/9 from deep in the fourth quarter and allowing 26 Milwaukee points to end the game with a 94-109 loss. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some takeaways, and even point out one positive from a less-than-stellar playoff return game.

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Indiana

Fernando Mendoza, citing Raiders obligations, misses Indiana’s White House visit

Published

6 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Fernando Mendoza, citing Raiders obligations, misses Indiana’s White House visit

Fernando Mendoza did not attend Indiana University’s visit to the White House commemorating the Hoosiers’ college football national championship on Monday. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback said earlier this month that he would not attend if it interfered with any activities with his new team.

“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza said following a rookie minicamp practice. “I got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice. I don’t know anything official. I don’t have the calendar, but I just wouldn’t. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look, and I want to try to best serve my teammates. And I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”

According to the team’s official offseason schedule, the Raiders did not have any formal practices or workouts on Monday. The team’s next organized activity is May 18, its first OTA workout.

“Fernando couldn’t be here today because, as I said, he’s now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders,” President Donald Trump said in his address. “Let’s see how good of a team they have, and I think he’s gonna do great. He’s a winner.”

Mendoza wasn’t the only absence. Center Pat Coogan and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds were among the other Hoosiers not in attendance for the event due to NFL obligations. Indiana had a program-record eight players selected in April’s NFL Draft.

Trump highlighted Mendoza’s accomplishments and contributions to the school’s first football national title. He celebrated Mendoza as Indiana’s inaugural Heisman Trophy winner and praised his fourth-quarter touchdown run in the championship game against Miami.

“He’s gonna be a good one,” Trump said.

Indiana was well-represented by returning members of the team. Charlie Becker, one of Mendoza’s go-to receivers during the College Football Playoffs, and Jamari Sharpe, whose late interception secured the title-game victory, both spoke on behalf of the school, as did head coach Curt Cignetti.

Mendoza is one of four members of the national champion Hoosiers who joined the Raiders this offseason. Running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. signed as undrafted free agents in the days following the draft. Wide receiver Jonathan Brady earned a contract after impressing as a tryout player during rookie minicamp.

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Indiana

Suspect in custody after Muncie triple shooting leaves 1 woman dead, 2 men injured

Published

18 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Suspect in custody after Muncie triple shooting leaves 1 woman dead, 2 men injured

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating a triple shooting that took place on Muncie’s south side Sunday evening that left a woman dead and two men injured.

According to police, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Muncie Police Officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of South Walnut Street in reference to reports of several people being shot.

Officers arrived and located three gunshot victims: A 23-year-old female who died from “multiple wounds,” a 39-year-old male who is hospitalized in stable condition, and a 40-year-old male who was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition.

Police say a suspect is in custody, a 21-year-old man.

Police did not provide any additional information.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Muncie Police Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or dispatch at 765-747-4838.

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Indiana

Indiana Pacers exec apologizes to fans after losing first-round pick

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Indiana Pacers exec apologizes to fans after losing first-round pick

The Indiana Pacers lost 63 games this season for a chance at a franchise-changing lottery pick. On Sunday, May 10, they lost that chance, too.

All Pacers president Kevin Pritchard could do was apologize for taking the risk.

Indiana’s pick landed at No. 5 in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, one spot outside the top four protections attached to a midseason trade. The selection now belongs to the Los Angeles Clippers .

Shortly after the results were announced, Pritchard took social media and apologized.

“I’m really sorry to all our fans,” Pritchard wrote. “I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck.”

The Pacers entered the lottery with a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick after finishing 19-63, the second-worst record in the NBA. It wasn’t enough.

Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick to Los Angeles in the midseason deal for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown, along with the conditional 2026 first-rounder. The pick was theirs to keep only if it landed in the top four.

Zubac appeared in just five games for Indiana after the trade because of a fractured rib.

“This team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year,” Pritchard wrote. “We have always been resillient.”

Pritchard will have to be resilient if he looks at the replies to his statement. About half of the Pacers fans’ comments were not happy, and fans of other teams called him out for “tanking.”

There were also a large number of fans who were supportive of Pritchard taking that risk.

Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return next season after tearing his Achilles in last year’s NBA Finals. The Pacers will have him Pascal Siakam and a roster they think is built to compete. They just won’t have that first-round pick to add to it.

The 2026 NBA Draft begins June 23 in Brooklyn.

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