The 2025 NBA Champions needed seven games and one torn Achilles to beat the Pacers last night.

Why it matters: Oklahoma City's triumph brings Indiana's historic — and at times magical — postseason run to a heartbreaking conclusion and keeps our basketball-loving city NBA championship-starved for another season.

Driving the news: The Pacers lost 91-103 to the Thunder.

• OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added NBA Finals MVP honors to his league MVP credentials after dropping 29 points and 12 assists in Game 7.

Zoom in: A gut-wrenching moment for Pacers fans came with 4:55 left in the first quarter when Tyrese Haliburton collapsed to the court in pain.

• Reports of a torn Achilles began to roll in after the All-Star was helped to the back, confirming that Haliburton would once again have to watch his team finish the postseason from the sidelines.

Yes, but: The toughness that defined Indiana's postseason run was on full display as the team continued to trade leads with Oklahoma City for the remainder of the first half despite losing their superstar point guard.

• That resilience wasn't enough to keep the Thunder contained after the break, and a third quarter that saw the Pacers outscored 34-20 was too much to overcome without the threat of another Haliburton game-winner in the chamber.

Between the lines: Fans can take solace in knowing one of the best Pacers teams ever may get another crack at NBA title immortality, barring any significant offseason shakeups.

• A top priority should be locking down Myles Turner, the longest tenured Pacer, with a new deal. The center is set to enter free agency this summer, and word is the Phoenix Suns have shown interest.
• The rest of last night's starting lineup will return: Aaron Nesmith is under contract through 2027; Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard through 2028; and Haliburton through 2029.

What's next: With the season wrapped up, the team now turns its attention to roster development and the NBA Draft, which starts Wednesday in Brooklyn, New York.

The intrigue: Indiana is already making moves, trading the No. 23 overall pick to New Orleans to reacquire a first-round 2026 pick and clear out about $3.2 million in salary cap space.

• The Pacers will make their initial pick in the second round with the No. 54 overall selection.

The bottom line: In Indianapolis — where it's more than just basketball — "maybe next year" is more than just something to say to feel better this morning.

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The Pacers' season may be over, but the memories made during their unforgettable pursuit of the first NBA championship will live on forever.

Why it matters: From watch parties and murals to gold-outs and tattoos, fans in Indy were yelling "Yes 'Cers!" so loud the entire world heard it.

📬 We want to know: What was your favorite memory from the 2024-25 season?

• Cheering alongside loved ones in Morris Bicentennial Unity Plaza? Witnessing one of Hali's game winners? The collective beef the city developed with KAT during the Knicks series?

Respond to this email and share your favorite moments with us! And don't forget to include your name and hometown.

🪧 Demonstrators gathered in Broad Ripple and downtown Indianapolis Sunday in response to the U.S. military conducting airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. (CBS4)

🏀 The WNBA has revealed the court design for the 2025 WNBA All-Star game in Indianapolis. It features the Indiana Fever colors and the 19 stars of the Indiana flag. (WNBA)

🧑‍🚒 Indianapolis firefighters rescued two girls after they jumped into the White River yesterday near the East 67th Street and North College Avenue intersection to retrieve a flotation device. (WISH)

👮‍♂️ IMPD has added 13 new probationary officers to the force as the department continues to address an ongoing officer shortage. Those officers are now prepared to work in Indy neighborhoods for 20 weeks of in-field training. (WRTV)

👋 Arika here!

After visiting the Big Car campus to learn about the new contemporary art museum under construction, I explored the surrounding neighborhood — its plant shop, vintage stores, coffee house and viral bakery.

After all that, I worked up quite an appetite. Luckily, there's an answer for that too.

Where to go: Parkside Public House.

• This neighborhood hang opened in the Garfield Park neighborhood last summer.

What to order: The Thai curry soup ($8 for a cup/$14 for a bowl). It's a thick, spicy and flavorful curry broth, served over rice.

• A cup of soup and "the bread option" ($12), which is just a giant soft pretzel, is the perfect meat-free lunch.

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German is the most commonly spoken language in the Hoosier state other than English and Spanish, per new census data.

Why it matters: The numerous languages spoken nationwide reflect both the history of settlement and colonization and modern immigration patterns.

By the numbers: Indiana is home to 566,800 residents who speak a language other than English at home, and 295,400 of them speak Spanish.

• There are 26,930 primarily German speakers, narrowly edging out 22,310 Pennsylvania German speakers and 18,410 Chinese speakers as the most popular language other than English or Spanish.

The intrigue: Pennsylvania German — also known as Pennsylvania Dutch — is a dialect that developed in the rural parts of southeastern and central Pennsylvania during the 18th century. It's still popular among the Amish and Mennonites.

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