“RIP to a Legend”: Heartbroken Tyrese Haliburton Mourns Sudden Demise of Indiana Pacers Legend

There wouldn’t be an Indiana Pacers if not for Nancy Leonard and her husband, Slick. The duo literally battled for hours, sold tickets and kept the Pacers alive in the darkest hours. Sadly, at 93, Nancy Leonard passed away, marking her place in the city’s history. The franchise ace, Tyrese Haliburton, touched on just what she meant to the Pacers.

“The First Lady of Indiana basketball. Before every game, I knew I could count on a wink and a smile behind the bench. There is no Pacers basketball without Nancy Leonard. Can’t wait to see the day her name is in the rafters where it belongs. RIP to a legend and a beautiful soul,” he wrote on X.

Her charisma and allure were evident in how even the current Pacers players looked up to her. Despite her health concerns, she was present at the Pacers’ Game 6 victory in the NBA Finals. She shared a warm moment with Myles Turner. “You were there every step of the way,” the former longest tenure Pacers told Leonard. To her, she saw the franchise inching closer to the dream she and her husband, Bobby Leonard, had worked hard for. Even at 93, she was just as excited to see the Pacers’ success.

The First Lady of Indiana basketball. Before every game, I knew I could count on a wink and a smile behind the bench. There is no Pacers basketball without Nancy Leonard. Can’t wait to see the day her name is in the rafters where it belongs. RIP to a legend and a beautiful soul pic.twitter.com/tDvPOxNO2B

— Tyrese Haliburton (@Hali) September 24, 2025

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