Pacers embrace growth mindset for final 27 games of season
With the postseason out of reach, Indiana turns its attention to player development, lineup experimentation and long-term progress over the final two months. Plus news & notes.
Good afternoon and welcome back to Fieldhouse Files.
For the Pacers and most of the NBA, it’s back to business. The All-Star Game no longer marks the midway point of the season; just one-third of the 2025–26 schedule remains.
By now, we also have a very good indication of the contenders, those on the fringe, and others — like the Pacers — who are already looking forward to the NBA Draft Lottery on May 10.
But that doesn’t mean the next two months won’t be productive or helpful in many ways.
After enjoying a long weekend with five days off, it was back to the practice court on Tuesday for the first of two sessions before returning to game action. That meant the only place you might have seen a Pacer in the last week was an image of T.J. McConnell as you went through a Crew Carwash.
That changes on Thursday with the first of two straight games in Washington DC.
“It was nice to just get a little time off, see friends and family,” said guard Andrew Nembhard. “Reset, get some sun. I’m excited to get back, excited to hoop.”
Before I get into their clear focus with 27 games left, I’ll catch you up on some notes, share how Nate Bargatze was a hit on Valentine’s Day, the latest injury report, then it’s on to … growth.
