End of an era: Miller's 18-year career concludes

INDIANAPOLIS -- This wasn't planned. That much I can tell you. Not even Indiana coach Rick Carlisle knew how the Pacers, the crowd or anyone else inside Conseco Fieldhouse on Thursday night would honor Reggie Miller if Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals was in fact the final game of his Hall of Fame career.

Reggie Miller leads Indiana with 27 points in his final game. (AP)

An hour before tip-off, Carlisle stood in the hallway outside the Pacers' locker room and shook his head as a reporter asked how he would handle Miller late in the game if the Pacers had no chance to win. Miller had said earlier in the year that this would be his final season. With Indiana trailing the Detroit Pistons 3-2 in the series, a loss Thursday night would mean the end of Miller's career.

Carlisle didn't want to think about it.

"This is not an appropriate time to talk about that," Carlisle said.

In about three hours Carlisle would face the issue he didn't want to confront. Detroit led 86-79, and Detroit's Richard Hamilton was at the foul line with 15.7 seconds to play. The game was over. With it, Miller's career.

With the crowd chanting, "Reg-gie, Reg-gie," Carlisle subbed for Miller. The Pacers' season -- their horrible, beautiful, ultimately unsuccessful season -- was 15.7 seconds from its finish, and the home crowd of 18,345 was cheering. Standing and cheering.

They weren't the only ones. Miller was sitting on the Indiana bench, 18 years and more than 25,000 points under his belt, and he was surrounded by teammates who were standing and clapping. After a few seconds his teammates cleared out of the way so Miller could see the spectacle on the court.

The Pistons also were standing and clapping. Detroit coach Larry Brown, who once coached Indiana, had called timeout to pay homage to his ex-player. The entire Detroit ensemble, from Brown to the starting five to the last player on the bench, had walked over to the Indiana half of the court and formed a half-circle of clapping, nodding appreciation.

Reggie Miller started to cry.

"I have the utmost respect for Coach Brown," Miller said later. "I tip my hat to their organization for doing that. They have a lot of class guys on that team."

Indiana lost 88-79, but don't blame the old guy. Miller led the Pacers with 27 points, and it was an efficient 27. He made 11-of-16 shots, including 4-for-8 shooting on 3-pointers.

"He went out guns a-blazing," Brown said. "I can't imagine your last game, 18 years in this league, 40 years old -- or something. It's mind-boggling to me."

Said Carlisle, "We saw a true, vintage Reggie Miller performance in a playoff game."