Against this backdrop, Indiana’s release of Game 7 hats is being seen by many as a bold, if not overly optimistic, move. Fans across social media were quick to mock the Pacers for jumping the gun.

Cowboy hats, baseball caps and even a fedora landed on the American Airlines Center ice Saturday night with 2.7 seconds left in regulation of Game 7. Stars forward Mikko Rantanen scored his third ...