INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Everything seemed to have been going the Pacers way late in games this month.

Tyrese Haliburton’s crazy and-one three-pointer to beat the Bucks. Obi Toppin’s three-pointer to beat the Timberwolves. Myles Turner’s block that sealed the game against the Nets.

But on Wednesday night, it went the other way for the Pacers.

They took the lead with 42 seconds left after Haliburton hit an and-one floater and converted on the free throw.

With the seconds ticking down, the Pacers held a one point lead.

Luka Dončić drove into the lane, but his floater was short. It hit off the front rim, the backboard, and the rim again before falling off the basket. It fell right into the outstretched hand of LeBron James. He tipped the ball right into the basket as time expired. The Pacers lost to the Lakers, 120-119.

Despite the loss, Pacers center Myles Turner thought it was something the Pacers needed. He said it brought them back to Earth.

“You get on these Cinderella, historic type runs for a couple weeks and at times you need to be humbled,” Turner said.

“You obviously want to win games, don’t misquote me there, but at the same time, it’s also a humbling thing that happened,” Turner added.

The Pacers had a foul to give at the end of the game. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said they talked about it in the huddle and everyone on the sideline was yelling to foul, but they did not do it.

In the Pacers last possession of the game, Bennedict Mathurin threw up a three-point shot at the top of the key at the end of the shot clock. The Pacers had a timeout remaining, but did not take it. Carlisle said he considered it and added that it certainly would have been the thing to do given the result.

The second quarter was a major difference in the game. The Pacers were outscored 40-22 and went into halftime down 13 points. Carlisle mentioned poor ball movement and giving up a lot of transition opportunities were issues.

“I thought the second quarter, we really stalled offensively and didn’t get enough stops and that’s why the game resulted the way it did,” Haliburton said. “We had to be better in the second quarter there. It’s obviously not a one play game at the end there. But, I mean, it happens.”

Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 23 points. Haliburton had 16 points and 18 assists.

Dončić led the Lakers with 34 points.

The Pacers are back in action on Thursday on the road against the Wizards. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

More Pacers coverage

PHOTOS | Pacers take on LeBron James and Luka Dončić

Exciting news for Indianapolis travelers: Spirit Airlines is set to introduce a nonstop flight option between Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and New York-LaGuardia Airport (LGA), starting September 5.

Operating four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, this new route is perfectly timed for those planning a fall getaway to the vibrant city of New York.

Flight bookings are already open on Spirit’s official website.

Latest Headlines | March 26, 7am

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis has been recognized with a Smart Cities North America Award for its efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into city operations, a project initiated by the city’s AI Commission in December 2023.

The award is from the International Data Corp.

The AI Commission was proposed by Republican Minority Leader Michael Paul Hart, who works full-time in information technology. The commission’s goal is to explore ways to use AI to enhance government functions, and since its inception, the city has been gradually incorporating AI into everyday tasks.

“Everything started to come quick and fast with generative type of technologies and the concern I hear from my constituents a lot is what does that mean for Indianapolis,” said Hart, highlighting the impetus for the commission’s formation.

So far, Indianapolis has implemented AI in small ways, but there are considerations for larger applications, such as using AI to identify potholes.

“How do we take one of these cameras, face it down, so it’s looking at roads and not people, because that is a big concern, and catalogue where these things are,” Hart said.

The city plans to train employees on generative AI, hire a chief privacy officer and chief data officer, and try out Microsoft Co-Pilot to improve efficiency in tasks like writing emails and managing spreadsheets.

The IDC told Hart, “The way that you’re moving forward as a city and handling this type of work is a very prudent approach to the implementation of technology and we want to award you the smart cities award for the administration of artificial intelligence.”

While there are no concrete plans for future AI implementations, the city and its commission are exploring approaches to responsibly integrate AI into municipal operations.

The Indianapolis-Marion County Information Services Agency is leading the AI implementation efforts. Collin Hill, the chief information officer, said in a statement, “This IDC Smart Cities Award reflects our commitment to understanding and implementing AI with thoughtful and responsible approaches.”