Rick Carlisle joins the 1000-win club: a historic achievement for the Pacers coach

After 13 consecutive losses, Rick Carlisle was finally able to celebrate his 1000th win, joining an exclusive club alongside Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson.

The victory against the Charlotte Hornets (114-112) came down to the final seconds, with Pascal Siakam scoring the game-winner with 11.5 seconds on the clock. T.J. McConnell then sealed the game by intercepting the opponent’s inbound pass, allowing the Pacers to end their losing streak.

An exceptional career marked by adaptation and perseverance

At 66 years old, Rick Carlisle can boast a record of 1000 wins and 891 losses over 23 complete seasons. An NBA champion as a player with the Celtics in 1985-1986 alongside Larry Bird, he then excelled on the benches of Detroit, Dallas and Indiana.

« I’m really happy for our players, » Carlisle said after this long-awaited victory. « The last month has been so difficult in so many ways. We have an incredible group of guys who continue to fight against all odds. »

His coaching journey led him to the NBA title with Dallas in 2011, before returning to Indiana in 2021. Despite the injuries that decimated the Pacers roster this season, leaving the team with the worst record in the league (7-31), Carlisle never gave up.

Congrats to Rick Carlisle of the @Pacers for becoming the 11th coach in NBA history to secure 1,000 total coaching wins! pic.twitter.com/6UlSp6K9Dl

— NBA (@NBA) January 9, 2026

Pascal Siakam and T.J. McConnell, architects of the achievement

Against the Hornets, Pascal Siakam (30 points, 14 rebounds) and T.J. McConnell (23 points, 8 assists) carried their team to this historic victory. Despite 33 points from LaMelo Ball, used off the bench, the Pacers found the necessary resources in crucial moments.

« Pascal Siakam is one of the most extraordinary players I’ve been around, and he left his mark on the game at the end, » Carlisle said about his Cameroonian forward.

This 1000th win perfectly symbolizes Carlisle’s philosophy: never abandon your principles while adapting to modern basketball. An achievement that definitively places the Pacers coach among the greatest coaches in NBA history.