We focus on Tyrese Haliburton’s recurring left hamstring injury, why these injuries can be so difficult to overcome, and the challenges of returning to play.

Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Haliburton’s latest hamstring strain and his history of recurring injuries

• Why hamstring injuries are so complex and susceptible to recurrence

• The challenges of rehabilitation, treatment and determining when an athlete is ready to return

• How the hamstrings, lower back and other muscle groups work together

• Ben Sheppard and Aliyah Boston’s meniscus repairs — and why repair differs from removal

• The growing concern about injuries across the NBA and the challenges of prevention

Note: Reiff has not evaluated or treated the players discussed. His analysis is based on his experience in sports medicine, not firsthand knowledge of their specific injuries.

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We sat down in May, during his first week on the job, to discuss his background, first impressions and vision for the franchise following its inaugural season in Noblesville.

Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Why he wanted to join the Boom, part of Pacers Sports & Entertainment

• His first priorities and plans to grow the team's presence in Central Indiana

• Lessons learned from previous roles with HBO, WWE and Warner Bros.

• The importance of community outreach, fan engagement and creating an affordable, family-friendly experience

• The advantages of playing at the new Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile

• His vision for building on the Boom's first season in Noblesville

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Early preseason observations and what stands out

• Several players in and out of the lineup due to injuries

• Wanting to see more from Haliburton-Zubac pairing and the starting five

• Pacers add a fifth uniform — and a matching home court for seven games

• A look at the new NBA Cup court for 2026-27, what I like and what’s different

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Byars, who has been with the Iowa State program for 16 years, shares stories from Haliburton’s recruitment and two seasons with the Cyclones, his lasting connection to Ames and why Wednesday’s game means so much to Haliburton and the Iowa State community.

Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Recruiting him to Iowa State

• Why Byars calls Haliburton a “connector”

• Haliburton’s lasting relationship with Iowa State and the Ames community

• How his college career abruptly ended with a wrist injury

• Returning to Hilton Coliseum

• Pacers x Iowa State working together on this game

• Haliburton buying all student tickets

• His growth from under-recruited prospect into the face of the Pacers

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After dropping Game 1 in Las Vegas, Indiana needs a response in Game 2 to extend the series and force a return to Sin City. I went live ahead of tipoff to break down the matchup, what we saw on Sunday, what needs to change, and I answered fan questions.

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The move pushes the Pacers into the luxury tax and close to the first apron, so a patient approach makes sense. But that patience comes with pressure — especially as the Eastern Conference changes around them, with Giannis Antetokounmpo headed to Miami, Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, and Jaylen Brown going to Philadelphia.

Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Priority entering free agency — adding a wing with size, scoring and the ability to help the bench unit.

• Why Kelly Oubre Jr. made sense for Indiana, and what he can provide after spending the past three seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.

• How the financial limitations shaped what they could realistically do in free agency.

• What it means to be into the luxury tax and close to the first apron — and why the tax costs money, but the apron costs flexibility.

• Why patience makes sense for the front office, especially with this roster still needing time together.

• The importance of Tyrese Haliburton returning, and why Ivica Zubac still needs to share the court with Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.

• How major moves around the Eastern Conference add pressure on Indiana to keep improving.

• Whether another move could be coming — and why the Pacers will have more clarity by the end of 2026.

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• The full breakdown of the trade

• The gamble involved with limited draft protections and what it signals about the Pacers’ thinking

• How the deal came about

• How Zubac fits into — and solidifies — the starting lineup

• Why his contract is advantageous in terms of years and salary

• Bennedict Mathurin’s time with the Pacers

• The key date to know for the NBA Draft Lottery: May 10

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Pacers reached the midpoint of the season amid a turnaround, going 3–1 on a homestand and winning four of five games after a historically poor 6–31 start that included a franchise-record 13-game losing streak.

• Carlisle earned career win No. 1,000 in Charlotte, a milestone reached during a season defined by constant roster churn, shifting rotations, and tactical experimentation.

• An uptick in defense, including a quick, low-foul game against Boston (14 combined fouls) and “illegal screen.”

• Pascal Siakam’s All-Star candidacy.

• Trade-deadline discussion — and why it shouldn’t be assumed Bennedict Mathurin is on the way out.

• Updates on the Boom: Kyle Guy heading to China, Cody Martin acquired, Ethan Thompson shines, and a schedule adjustment.

• A Ritz-Carlton coming to Indy?

• A closing personal reflection on IU football and how far the program has come under head coach Curt Cignetti.

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• The Pacers’ run to Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

• A banner year in Indiana basketball, including the Fever being one quarter away from their first WNBA Finals appearance in over a decade

• The offseason turning point: Myles Turner moving on and the ripple effects since

• How injuries derailed the start of this season and prevented early continuity

• A nine-game losing streak with Indiana being outscored by an average of 14 points

• The numbers behind the slump: bottom-five rankings across scoring, shooting efficiency, rebounding, defense, and opponents second-chance points

• Fatigue setting in for Pascal Siakam — mentally and physically — and what that means moving forward

• Curious developments: wanting to see more Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy, and why Jarace Walker remains a question mark

• Zooming out after 33 games (6–27): what the vision looks like now versus entering the season

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• The passing of Nancy Leonard and her impact on the franchise

• Injury updates: Haliburton, McConnell, Wright, Sheppard, Jones

• Adding Cam Payne and point guard becoming the No. 1 concern

• Many questions as center after Myles Turner’s departure and two players coming off torn Achilles

• Takeaway from FanJam

• New assistant coach, replacing Mike Weinar

• Latest on how to watch Pacers games with FanDuel Sports Network Indiana

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• What he appreciated about the construct and integrity of the Pacers

• How there was no villain in the finals

• Haliburton going down — and how it hurts them now and later

• Players buying into defense this season, and how the coaching staff successfully tweaked coverage in Game 6

• What happened with Myles Turner?

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Game 7.

In Oklahoma City.

The Pacers have been the underdog in all seven games. Their biggest advantage is their coaching staff, led by head coach Rick Carlisle.

Tyrese Haliburton is gutting through an injury to be out there⁠ — and the bench has shined.

Don’t forget: Join me live over on YouTube after every Pacers playoff game for my live postgame show.

Here's a preview podcast, recorded seven hours before the biggest game in NBA franchise history. Watch below — or catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• My initial thoughts on the series

• 06:15 Andrew Schlecht on the matchup

• 14:00 Similar timelines, strengths, and the chip on their shoulder

• 20:10 OKC coach Mark Daigneault — from G League coach to NBA Coach of the Year finalist

• 24:50 OKC executive Sam Presti among the NBA’s best

• 31:48 Donnie Strack and D.J. White

• 33:00 Chet Holmgren’s progression and the impact he could have

• 40:30 Best friends from Montreal — Bennedict Mathurin and Lu Dort

• 44:55 Addition of guard Alex Caruso

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Haliburton’s masterpiece

• Pacers knowing exactly who they are

• Rick Carlisle calling up Bennedict Mathurin

• How Aaron Nesmith worked to be available — and effective

• Bringing back more than a dozen former players (and other stars)

• 16:40 Interview with Fred Katz

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• 00:00 Historic start to the second round by road teams

• 02:25 Cavs injury updates

• 04:50 Pacers’ plan several years ago to be the best-conditioned team

• 06:35 A look back at Game 2 and giving Aaron Nesmith his due…

• 12:35 Ryan Ruocco interview — on the Pacers’ and Cavs’ journey

• 15:25 On the Pacers’ 20-point comeback

• 20:26: On balancing the NBA playoffs with start of new a new WNBA season

• 22:25 What he gets from pre-game meetings with head coaches

• 27:16 Being in Cleveland and then calling a game after Stephanie White accepted the Fever job

• 29:25 His call for Caitlin Clark’s shot at Iowa, then pointing at each other

• 33:20 Fever’s productive offseason leading to championship aspirations

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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo stepped to the free-throw line for the first time on Tuesday night, ball in his left hand, locked in on the rim.

About 15 feet away, on the baseline — in the first seat to the left of the basket stanchion — was a Pacers fan with a creative new sign ready to be revealed.

Not just to the two-time NBA MVP or the sellout crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This one went viral instantly.

As Pacers fans counted aloud with each second Giannis held the ball, the fan turned a dial on his sign in sync — visualizing the moment, and adding fuel to the crowd.

That fan? He’s already a local legend.

He’s known as Flamingo Guy. Sign Guy. Pacer Guy.

He’s Matt Asen, a diehard Pacers fan who lives in Florida but travels up for big games — and across the globe to support the team, including in January when he joined them in Paris.

“I always get texted a lot when I’m on TV, but this was over the top,” Asen told Fieldhouse Files on Thursday. “I got texts and calls from Texas, St. Louis, Indiana, California, New York — and even people I haven’t heard from for a long time because the thing went viral. My friends said ‘You’re a virus now.’”

Asen has never lost his childhood spirit. He’s 72 years old, deals with nerve issues in his feet, and struggles to walk very far anymore. But he will happily make the flight from Fort Myers, Florida, to sit courtside in his usual seat.

“It's been 38 years so there's a whole two generations of fans that have grown up with me and they get to meet me and they get a thrill (with the flamingos),” he said.

Asen’s whole Pacers journey started with a kindle of kittens.

(Note: Asen is my latest guest on the Fieldhouse Files podcast. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.)

Back in 1987, he met Pacers owner Herb Simon in Sanibel.

“I had feral kittens in my restaurant and his (then) wife, Diane, was looking for kittens for Sarah and Rachel, who were young children then,” he said. “She came by my house and on my porch, I had a photo Dr. J and Larry Bird choking each other — a classic black-and-white photo when they got in the fight. And she said ‘Oh, you're a basketball fan.’

That led to a surprise invitation: a private jet trip to a playoff game in Atlanta the next night. “I had no comprehension of people even doing it,” Asen recalled.

That trip kicked off a decades-long bond with the Pacers organization.

“I went to the game, I yelled the referees, screamed and cheered for the Pacers and he said ‘Boy, you're a big fan.’ I said, ‘Yeah, as a matter of fact, I'm going up to Chicago this weekend to see the Bulls and the Knicks play because I was a Knicks fan at the time.

“Then he said ‘Come to Indiana. I'll get you in. We have a game Sunday.”

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• My opening thoughts on the series, which gets the playoffs started

• Gold Out, players in white, Adam Silver to be in the building, and a special ESPN pairing for Game 1

• Should be a healthy Pacers team, with Ben Sheppard being the one exception

• Homecourt advantage — and can the Pacers take Game 1?

• 12:00 Status of the Bucks entering the postseason

• 14:43 Health status of Damian Lillard — and whether a return is realistic

• 22:25 How’s the rest of the team’s health?

• 23:33 Enlightening conversation on Bobby Portis, who’s dealt with a lot this season

• 28:40 On Giannis Antetokounmpo playing his best basketball, and the development of his mid-range game

• 35:15 Bucks changes from last year — and a couple players who will have an influence on the series

REMINDER: I will be hosting a live postgame show on YouTube after every Pacers playoff game.

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Clinching a playoff berth for the 27th time in 36 seasons (dating back to 1989-90)

• Winning 7 of their last 9 games — many going down to the wire

• New franchise records set in Washington, D.C.

• The wild finish against the Lakers and the key contributor who was absent

• Big months from Tyrese Haliburton, Obi Toppin, and Aaron Nesmith

• Can the Pacers find a way to rest Pascal Siakam?

• Would they prefer to face the Pistons or Bucks in Round 1?

• Shout-outs!

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MacMahon covers the Mavericks and has followed both Dončić and Carlisle throughout their time in Dallas.

“The whole premise of the book is there's this pressure on a franchise when you draft a prodigy. And I wrote it through the prism, obviously, of Luka and the Dallas Mavericks, who have had all kinds of drama and dysfunction leading into Luka’s career and throughout Luka’s career.”

That led to the book being titled, “The Wonder Boy: Luka Doncic and the Curse of Greatness.” When Dončić was unexpectedly traded to the Lakers, MacMahon had to write an additional, unplanned chapter.

“What an insane way though to wrap up a fascinating story that took all sorts of twists and turns,” he said. “It's crazy. The ending of the original book was this upbeat, happy — still open-ended, but happy — ending because they'd just gone to the finals. There's no question in his mind that Dallas was a place that he could stay and contend for championships, just as he always wanted.

“And then they dumped him months later. What a heartbreaking turn of events for Mavericks fans, to say the least.”

Pacers fans will appreciate the story about the Mavericks’ attempt to draft Tyrese Haliburton in 2020. Carlisle’s belief in him played a significant role in Haliburton becoming a Pacer just a year and a half later.

“The Mavericks tried to get Haliburton in the draft,” MacMahon shared. “They tried to trade Jalen Brunson, 18 and 31 for Tyrese Haliburton, and they offered it to every team until Haliburton went off the board, including the New York Knicks, who had the eighth overall pick. They called (Knicks president) Leon Rose, "Hey, we got your godson. We got him. You want him? And the Knicks wanted Obi Toppin.”

And so, Haliburton was selected 12th overall by the Sacramento Kings.

I think you’ll enjoy this conversation.

Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Why write this book? The process behind it, including why he’s ultimately grateful that publishing was delayed by a year.

• Traveling to Slovenia to trace Dončić’s roots and better understand where he comes from — and why he’s so competitive.

• The biggest thing he learned about Luka during his research.

• Mark Cuban: The driving force behind the Mavericks trading for Dončić, and how selling a majority share of the team ultimately led to Dončić’s departure from Dallas.

• Why Carlisle deserves credit for Dončić’s rapid rise to superstardom.

• Carlisle’s relationship with Dončić and how that, along with his experience with Jason Kidd, shapes his partnership with Haliburton.

• Carlisle and Haralabos Voulgaris grading Haliburton highly in Dallas and attempting to trade up for him.

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Among the items discussed on this episode:

• 00:00 Good teams figure out how to win

• 04:25 Haliburton’s four-point “Colts” play beats Bucks; Jenny Boucek’s inspiration

• 09:34 Wrapping up Big Ten road trip with wild win in Minnesota led by Obi Toppin’s shooting

• 14:30 Returning home for 11 of their first 15 — starting with unusual back-to-back wins over Mavericks and Nets

• 17:48 What was Trendon Watford thinking? Skirmish under league review.

• 22:20 Bet you don’t know who leads the team in technical fouls

• 23:34 Bennedict Mathurin’s elevated play

• 25:45 Myles Turner’s candidness and bounce-back game

• 32:15 Tony Bradley signs second 10-day, which expires on Saturday

• 33:56 Shout-outs!

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