NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley expressed his frustration with the Indiana Pacers’ late-game execution in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. The Pacers had a commanding lead before a series of turnovers allowed Jaylen Brown to tie the game with a corner 3-pointer in the final seconds, leading to a heartbreaking overtime loss.
Barkley, speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, criticized the Pacers for not fouling Brown when they were up by three points with five seconds left. He emphasized the importance of fouling in that situation and expressed his disappointment with the team’s decision-making.
The former NBA star’s sentiments were echoed by many fans who watched the game, as the topic of fouling when up by three points is a common point of discussion in basketball. Brown, a subpar free-throw shooter, had a brief window for the Pacers to foul him before he attempted the game-tying shot.
As the Pacers look to bounce back in Game 2, Barkley’s comments serve as a reminder of the importance of late-game strategy and execution in high-stakes playoff matchups. Hopefully, the team can learn from their mistakes and make the necessary adjustments to avoid a similar outcome in the future.