Good evening and welcome back to the Fieldhouse Files.
In tonight’s issue, I’ll get into the Pacers ending their losing streak and now preparing to take part in the NBA Global Games once again, an encouraging injury update, a report from the Boom’s open scrimmage, and a few notes on Caitlin Clark, including a priceless video demonstrating her impact on basketball — both boys and girls.
Things are nonstop these days between the Pacers, Boom and Fever. Then, throw in special events, such as Indiana basketball hosting Syracuse at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday, and there’s plenty of great basketball to document.
The Fieldhouse hosts plenty of other events too. Tyrese Haliburton and other WWE fans will be thrilled to know that WWE Raw will be here on Monday, Feb. 22, 2027. That’s during NBA All-Star break, so Haliburton will be available — if he’s not at an extravagant location. Tickets go on sale Nov. 11.
For the Fever, they’re in full offseason mode. They had a president step down, a general manager fired, and the rest of the staff wondering if they’ll be kept. Either way, a major overhaul is underway. All while they’re making great progress on their new sports performance center, which is set to open next March. More on that soon.
For the Boom, they’ve had two weeks of training camp and an intrasquad scrimmage leading into tonight’s game against Windy City, a road back-to-back to begin the new season. Due to Pacers injuries, none of the three two-way players are with them — which was also a challenge for them last season.
As for the Pacers (3-6), they’re trying to find consistent play from the team while they wait to be whole for the first time this season. They’ve been especially limited at point guard, leading to rookie Braden Smith starting their last game.
Before we get into all of it, I wanted to share this fun moment for me.
Some of you may not know that I’ve called IU Indy basketball games — they play in the Horizon League — for more than a decade.
My 12th season got underway on Thursday, and it was a memorable tipoff. Not only was it the first at the new James T. Morris Arena, named for the late (and great) Jim Morris, but we also had a wild ending.
A buzzer-beater.
Losing Streak Ends at Five
The Pacers were in desperate need of a win this week … and they got one Wednesday night against the Grizzlies. It not only ended a five-game skid — with losses to the Bucks, 76ers, Heat, Nets, and Hawks — but it was also the team’s first win in Memphis since April 11, 2021.
That was a year before Haliburton was a Pacer.
