Pacers Notebook: The next 10 games will be revealing
Indiana’s 2–14 start sets up a critical stretch with a long homestand, Haliburton’s latest checkpoint, Stranger Things Night, Boom’s first win, Prime Video drops game, WTHR to simulcast select games
The Pacers’ start to the season couldn’t have gone much worse. They sit at 2–14 after the first month, a dozen names have appeared on the injury report, and six remain out. Key players — headlined by Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin and Tyrese Haliburton — are sidelined.
As a result, the team has made 10 transactions since opening night and cycled multiple players through the 15th roster spot.
What the Pacers need most is health and stability. The return of Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, and T.J. McConnell has helped, but every player is being asked to provide more.
At 2–14, many fans are already calling it a wrap and looking ahead to both the draft and next season. I’d caution against that.
It’s not as if they lack talent or continuity — only availability. You have to wonder whether their playing style — fast pace, more possessions, full-court pressure — over three seasons has contributed to these issues. It’s hard to make a direct correlation, but it has absolutely played a part.
Start with last season: a long run that stretched into late June, followed by players ramping back up in early September for mini-camp. That left far less time to decompress, recover and enter this season physically and mentally refreshed.
Still, I’d challenge anyone ready to punt on this season and instead urge patience. Give it another 10 games — enough to get through the homestand and NBA Cup play. Their turnaround last year, after injuries derailed the opening month, came in mid-December.
By then, we’ll have a clearer idea whether this group can stabilize before Nesmith’s expected return in December and Toppin’s in February. Maybe they won’t — and the season becomes an opportunity to evaluate players like Mathurin, Jarace Walker, and Johnny Furphy. Losing Furphy to injury is another setback, as this could be a valuable developmental stretch for him.
After the NBA Cup in mid-December, and certainly by Christmas, we’ll know whether this team can climb back or if fortune simply isn’t on their side.
The top of the conference standings is surprising — Detroit (14–2), Toronto (12–5), Cleveland (12–6), Miami (11–6) and Atlanta (11–7) — and perhaps that adds to the disappointment. A healthy Pacers team could be near the top. But they’re not healthy.
Head coach Rick Carlisle warned before the season that the first month of their schedule would be difficult and test them. That’s proven true.
It’s not just availability. Poor shooting, transition lapses, defensive breakdowns, turnovers and missed free throws have all cost them. And right now, their margin for error is slim.
Now they return home for six of their next eight, including a four-game homestand beginning the day after Thanksgiving — against the Wizards, Bulls, Cavaliers and Nuggets.
Those games lead straight into the additional NBA Cup matchups.
This stretch, and the adversity that comes with it, will shape this group. They’ll remember it. What they cannot allow is a losing culture to seep in.
Years ago, Carlisle reiterated to me that culture is an everyday thing, not something you establish once and maintain on autopilot. After two seasons filled with highs, they’re now experiencing the other side. They’ll be better for it, with a deeper understanding of their personnel.
For now, it’s not about the 14 losses behind them. It’s about earning it every day and focusing only on what’s next.
Heading into Monday night, that’s the Pistons — and solely the Pistons.
Black Friday SPECIAL
Pacers Hosting ‘Stranger Things Night’ v. Pistons
The Pacers are venturing into the Upside Down. While the Fever have partnered with the Netflix hit for several years — including special-edition uniforms — the Pacers will host their own version on Monday night against Detroit.
With the fifth and final season of Stranger Things premiering Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, the show has teamed up with the Pacers to create a themed night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
That includes special photo opportunities, a Demogorgon appearance, a special team intro video and more in-game entertainment. Fans are also encouraged to dress as their favorite character.
“Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and collaborations like this let us turn game night into something truly special,” said Terry Tiernon, senior vice president of corporate partnerships at Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “We’re excited to build on our partnership with Netflix and give Pacers fans a chance to step inside the world of Stranger Things and show off their Hawkins pride.”
Beyond the theme night, the matchup is compelling. The Pistons (14–2) have won 12 straight and sit atop the East.
Another Checkpoint for Haliburton
Another Monday has arrived and so, too, has another Haliburton checkpoint. Today marks exactly 22 weeks since he underwent surgery in New York City to repair a torn Achilles tendon.
He was ruled out for this season, but that doesn’t mean he’s not trying to have fun along the way. That’s needed during a grueling recovery period. Adding to it is seeing the team pile up losses — and nothing he can do about it.
On Monday, Haliburton posted a video of him dunking again on the south east basket at the Ascension St. Vincent Center. He posted a similar video after 17 weeks.
This one includes Obi Toppin watching from the sideline with his right foot in a boot — a snapshot of the Pacers’ season in one clip.
Boom Record First Win of the Season, Since Rebrand
Winless no more.
The Noblesville Boom, the Pacers’ G League affiliate, improved to 1–7 on Sunday with a win over the Motor City Cruise — their first victory since rebranding from the Mad Ants and relocating to Noblesville.
The Boom led by as many as 16 and had five players score in double figures in a 104–88 win. Two-way guard RayJ Dennis paced them with 20 points and 10 assists.
Like the Pacers (and Fever), the Boom have been hit by injuries. Their three two-way players are up with the Pacers, both centers are sidelined for another month, and they had to use an emergency hardship exception before opening night after another player was limited at a team shootaround.
They also lost guard Kyle Guy for a few weeks as he joined USA Basketball’s World Cup Qualifying team — a great opportunity for the Indy product, but a blow to a team already stretched thin. He has been the team’s most productive and consistent player.
The games are played at The Arena at Innovation Mile in Noblesville — and now they’re marketing the team again. They’re also playing at more favorable times, like last Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, rather than noon on a Tuesday like they did so often the past few years.
Pacers VP Ted Wu was in the stands, along with assistant coach Lloyd Pierce, Isaac Yacob, Mo Baker, and Luke Stephens.
Watch my recap video below.
Prime Video Opts Out of Pacers-Celtics on Dec. 26
One month into the regular season and the Pacers’ have had their first schedule update.
Prime Video has flexed out of Celtics at Pacers on Friday, Dec. 26 — choosing instead to air 76ers at Bulls.
The Pacers’ game will be moved up — from 7:30 p.m. ET to 7 — and will air locally on Fan Duel Sports Network Indiana.
WTHR to Simulcast Select Games
For the second straight year, the Pacers have partnered with Indianapolis NBC affiliate WTHR-13 to simulcast several games.
Seven games airing on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana will air on WTHR, starting Jan. 16, with four additional games simulcast earlier on sister station WALV.
“With the continued support of FanDuel Sports Network, TEGNA, WTHR and WALV, we’re excited to bring more options for fans to watch Pacers basketball,” said PS&E CEO Mel Raines in a statement. “This partnership will help us expand opportunities for fans to follow the team, stay connected and feel part of the action.”
Jan. 16 v Pelicans
Jan. 21 at Celtics
Jan. 31 v Hawks
Mar. 6 at Lakers
Mar. 12 v Suns
Mar. 25 v Lakers
Apr. 1 v Bulls
Before those games, four other games will be shown on WALV — which is available over-the-air using an antenna on 13.3. It is also available on AT&T, Spectrum, and Xfinitiy locally. Fan Duel Sports Network is also available on Prime Video and PlutoTV.
Nov. 26 at Raptors
Dec. 5 at Bulls
Dec. 18 v Knicks
Dec. 20 at Pelicans
The Pacers selected WTHR to simulcast five games last season — and initial reactions were favorable. It expands access for fans — especially those without a pay-TV plan.
Added said Brent Denny, president and general manager of WTHR and WALV: “Delivering live, local sports that bring our communities together is at the heart of what we do. We’re proud to continue to partner with the Pacers to make these games accessible to fans across central Indiana.”
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Will this be a different broadcast?
No. The game will air on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, per usual. This is additive. It’s a simulcast that is ALSO airing on a local network. It will still be Chris Denari, Quinn Buckner, and Jeremiah Johnson will be on the call.
What if I’m outside WTHR’s viewing airing?
Then you’re likely able to watch games already on NBA League Pass, which is blacked out in central Indiana. A specific distance is not known, but it’s roughly within 70 miles of the city. This change is most beneficial for residents in the area — downtown and in the surrounding counties.
How else might this be helpful?
This is the key question. Deals with RSNs (Regional Sports Networks) are big money for individuals teams, typically the top local revenue source. But that’s changing because of the evolving landscape for TV consumption.
We’ve already seen teams like the Jazz and Suns, both under new and younger ownership, take local broadcasts it in-house and make games available both for free locally and available for a cost on their app. I believe more teams will follow suit. By airing on RSNs, it limits the potential audience.
You’ll also see more of an investment from the station with live reports from the arena, etc. And teams always want more coverage.
Have a question? Leave it in the comments.
Seinfeld Live
On Saturday, I checked off something I’ve always wanted to do… See the legend, Jerry Seinfeld, perform a live standup show. It did not disappoint.
Thousands filled the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre downtown to enjoy a night of laughs AND pay respect to one of the greatest comics. He received several standing ovations and the crowd couldn’t get enough.
Since I work in sports, attending live concerts and comedy shows are two of my favorite things to do when it is not game night. Seeing Seinfeld live was worth it.
One More Thing…
If you made it this far, congratulations. And thank you.
Something I wonder about often is whether to send shorter, more focused emails OR more notebooks, like this one, where a lot is covered and it’s just one email.
Do you have a preference? Feedback is appreciated.