Indiana Pacers Bench Buddy Hield Following Locker Room Blow-Up Over Minutes

Tensions erupted inside the Indiana Pacers locker room as sharpshooter Buddy Hield was benched following a heated altercation with coaching staff over reduced playing time. The incident occurred after the team’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, where Hield logged only 15 minutes despite being healthy. Multiple sources confirmed that Hield confronted head coach Rick Carlisle during postgame, demanding clarity on his role. Voices were raised, and the exchange reportedly got so intense that veteran players had to step in and defuse the situation. The team announced the next morning that Hield would be benched indefinitely for “conduct detrimental to the team.” It’s a stunning development for the 31-year-old guard, who has been one of the NBA’s most consistent three-point threats. Pacers GM Chad Buchanan declined to comment on possible trade scenarios, but insiders suggest that teams like the Lakers and Mavericks have already expressed interest. Fan reactions have been split, with some defending Hield’s competitive fire and others calling the outburst “unprofessional.” With Indiana in the thick of a playoff push, the timing couldn’t be worse. What started as a dispute over minutes may now become a franchise-altering moment, especially if Hield’s benching turns into a full-blown exit.