**Indiana Pacers' Assistant Coach Lloyd Pierce Eyes Future Return to Head Coaching Amid NBA Finals**

OKLAHOMA CITY — As Lloyd Pierce, the lead assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers, navigates the excitement of his first NBA Finals, he cannot help but entertain the vision of one day reclaiming a head coaching role on such a grand stage. Just a few years back, Pierce was at the helm of the Atlanta Hawks. His tenure from 2018 to 2021 saw him amass a 63-120 record. Despite the ups and downs, he played a pivotal role in the development of star player Trae Young and others.

Currently, with only two vacancies in the NBA coaching carousel at the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, the 49-year-old is focusing on the present task: aiding the Pacers in clinching their first NBA championship. Game 1 of the Finals against Oklahoma City is set for this Thursday night.

Reflecting on his career, Pierce told Andscape, "I took a head coaching job and I learned a lot. I want to be able to prove to myself. More than anything, I want to propel an organization to where we are right now, the NBA Finals. Every competitor struggles with the day they were let go. And so, everything you do moving forward is first self-awareness, and then second it's do what you need to do to get back in that seat and prove everybody wrong, and more importantly prove it to yourself."

Since joining the Pacers in 2021 under head coach Rick Carlisle, who famously led the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA title in 2011, Pierce has become an integral part of the coaching staff. The Pacers, who were dominant in the ABA with three championships before merging into the NBA in 1976, are chasing their elusive first NBA title.

Carlisle, appreciative of Pierce's contributions, added, "Strong presence, great communicator with a diverse and fertile basketball mind. Great leader. Most important to me is that he's a person I can learn from every day. Zero question that he will be a head coach again soon."

Pierce previously contributed as an assistant coach for USA Basketball's gold medal-winning men's team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, showcasing his capability on an international stage. His NBA coaching resume includes stints as an assistant with Cleveland, Golden State, Memphis, and Philadelphia from 2007 to 2018.

Discussing the Pacers' successful season, Pierce emphasized the team's philosophy: "Trust and belief. Our players trust us. We believe in our players, and I think they understand it and they feel it." He highlighted last year's in-season tournament championship game as a critical turning point in building that trust and belief, which has carried the team to the NBA Finals.

Looking ahead, Pierce is optimistic about returning to a head coaching role in the future. He underscores the importance of communication and building trust within a team—an approach that has evidently served him well on his current journey with the Pacers. "I've just tried to maximize every opportunity and make sure I leave each place better than I found it," Pierce said, reflecting on his time with the Hawks and his ongoing efforts with the Pacers.