Pacers Notebook: Team faces 'reality check,' final two games set, injury exception granted, Adam Silver visits Indy
Catching you up on everything going on with theIndiana Pacers, what Tyrese Haliburton and Adam Silver had to say, and keeping up with a few ex-Pacers.
One year ago, magic was starting to happen for the Indiana Pacers. They were clicking, winning games, and ultimately went undefeated in the first annual In-Season Tournament.
Now one year later, it has a new name (NBA Cup) and the Pacers could not have done a worse job. They went 0-4 to finish last in the Group.
More than that, they also finished with a -60 point differential, which was only topped by the -74 from the Washington Wizards, who are clearly tanking and have lost 15 straight games.
Instead of looking forward to hosting another Cup game — thank goodness most of the hideous courts are done for the season — the Pacers are just trying to get back on track. Because they’ve fallen off quite a bit. They need a reset button on the season.
They’ve lost a season-high four straight games; they haven’t won on the road in more than a month (0-8); they’ve dropped to 10th in the conference standings — and a difficult stretch in their schedule is coming in a few weeks.
Beyond the results, worst of all is how their defense has gotten worse and it’s unclear what the offense is trying to do at times. From bad inbounds passes, to passes to an official instead of a teammate or a lot of standing and watching. Confidence is low.
They must stay together.
Through 23 games, they rank 25th in defensive rating (116.1). That’s always unacceptable. But when their offense, which was on a historic run last season, has fallen to 21st (111.1), the defensive shortcomings are even more painful.
So now, ahead of wrapping up a four-game road trip Friday in Chicago, the Pacers have some soul searching to do.
Earlier this week, after a 122-111 loss (that was really much more) on Tuesday, Tyrese Haliburton opened up about what this feels like and what must be done.
Just playing harder. I think the product we're putting on the floor right now, as a group, is embarrassing. And I think we answered the conversation we had at halftime. I think we answered it in the second half better. But it's got to be like that for 48 minutes.
Every team is playing hard right now. Every team is young and has energy. And there's no reason that we shouldn't be matching that and beyond. So I just think the product that we're putting out there on a nightly basis right now needs to be better. Because we work too hard. Too many people care. You have too much pride in it.
So the product has to be better. And I think just the effort has to be better.
And if it's not, then, we're just going to keep playing around with lineups, playing around with different guys to figure out what's going to put the best product on the floor.
I think there needs to be a reality check right now, individually and collectively. Guys need to look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves what they can do better. And that starts with me. I have to be a better leader. I got to do everything better and harder. Because I'm not ready to piss away a year of my career or this organization or this team's season. So everybody's got to come together collectively, figure out what we can do better.
I still am baffled at what I saw to end the last game, after the Pacers knotted the game at 80 against the Nets. They gave up a 14-2 run, including 10 straight points. Even more jarring was how the Nets closed the game with a dunk followed by six layups. SIX.
Nothing outside of 1 foot.
Unacceptable.
I’ll share again what I tweeted Wednesday, very early in their loss at Brooklyn.
Yes, they have several injuries. But the Pacers continue to look like they're broken. Only brief fix was a homestand against below-average teams. Talk of hard play, defense persist. Missed shots and turnovers pile up. Then frustration mounts. And fans are deeply concerned.
So… what are they going to do about it?
Games 81 and 82 Finalized
When the NBA released the 2024-25 schedule in mid-August, they didn’t share the complete schedule. Because of the NBA Cup, only 80 of 82 games for each team were set — with two more TBD.
Now that Group Play has concluded, the league polished off the rest of the schedule for the 22 teams that did not advance.
The Pacers will travel to Philadelphia on Friday, Dec. 13 to face the 76ers at 7 p.m. ET. Then, they’ll return home to host the Pelicans for a second time this season on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. (No, Zion is still out.)
The Colts play in Denver at 4:25 p.m, so that’s not ideal for Indy sports fans.
And here’s the schedule for the Knockout Round
Pacers Granted Injury Exceptions
The Pacers have been granted Disabled Players Exceptions for two players expected to be out for the season with season-ending injuries, reports ESPN’s Bobby Marks. It’s no surprise, but this is confirmation of what was expected.
The injury exceptions are for Isaiah Jackson ($2.2 million) and James Wiseman ($1.2 million). Both centers suffered Achilles tendon tears 10 days apart and needed surgery. They even went to the same doctor.
Even if they do not use it, it’s good front office work to apply for them to possibly use. This provides them with cap relief — the dollar figure is 50% of the player’s salary — to potentially fill the void by signing or acquiring a player.
Currently, the Pacers have a full 15-man roster after they signed center Moses Brown to a non-guaranteed contract on Nov. 20. And before this relief, they were up against the luxury tax — without much room to breathe. That’s where this helps.
The Pacers can use the exception to sign a player or acquire one as part of a deal, but the player cannot have multiple years remaining. This is short-term relief.
Isaiah Wong to Hornets
The Pacers drafted Isaiah Wong out of the University of Miami 55th overall in 2023. It didn’t get the fanfare like this year’s pick at that spot (Bronny James), but Wong split time between the Mad Ants and Pacers during his rookie season.
Afterward, the Pacers elected not to bring him back.
Wong played at Summer League for the Phoenix Suns, then signed with the Utah Jazz — just like Oscar Tshiebwe. However, Wong was waived during training camp. He then spent time with their G League program, the Salt Lake City Stars, and really popped. He was named the first G League Player of the Week.
It didn’t take long for other teams to notice. So on Dec. 2, he was back on a two-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
More on Wong in an upcoming story…
Adam Silver visits Pacers
The Commissioner of the NBA visits Indianapolis at least once per season. Usually, it’s in mid-December, right before Christmas. And that’s done to honor owner Herb Simon, along with his friend Steve Berman, who have teamed up to give away thousands of toys to Hoosier children across the state for the 15th straight year.
Silver joined the FanDuel Sports Network to begin the second quarter and here are a few highlights from his comments. Remember, the WNBA All-Star game is in Indianapolis for the first time next July.
On Herb:
He’s been on the executive committee for years. Every innovation, every new thing that we've done in this league, he's been part of.
And now I look what's happening with WNBA. I was saying earlier tonight, he not only has been involved in this league since its earliest days in the WNBA, but over the years when many, frankly, NBA teams decided to shut down their WNBA operations, he was the one saying double down.
He was the one who believed in this long term. And it's fantastic now to see the success of the Fever and the entire league for that matter.
On Caitlin Clark:
Caitlin Clark set the world on fire, not just this community. She's brought so much attention to the entire league. People are seeing how deep this league is, how good the quality of basketball is. Of course, I jokingly say, the league that's been existing now for 28 seasons, it's the 28-year-old overnight sensation. So it's wonderful to see.
On Paris, where the Pacers will face the Spurs in January:
It's a really popular sport, not just in France, but throughout Europe right now. And I think playing these games that we play in Paris — and we've been doing it for several years right now — even though it's regular season, we're playing two regular season games this year, with the Spurs and the Pacers.
But people in Europe treat it as an all-star event, because they can buy their tickets long in advance. They know the teams are going to be there. They can plan weekends around them and everything else. And I think there's a big opportunity to do more in Europe around NBA basketball.
On possible expansion:
It's something we're studying right now at the league office. I've said this before, I think on air with you guys, that organizations tend to grow over time. We have probably the fastest-growing sport in the world, the second-biggest sport after soccer on a global basis. There's no question there are more markets that can support NBA basketball.
By the way, WNBA is growing as well, so we're looking at expansion there too. So that's a process we're going on.
But I'd also add that even if we add a couple of teams, in terms of the scope of this sport on a global basis, that's really just not that large an impact. But what we really can build fan base is through media and technology. And what we're seeing, for example, in our new television arrangements, every game will be streamed beginning next year.
So for people who are only watching games on their phones or only watching games on their computer, wherever they are in the world, they can see every single game.
“Inside the NBA” Not Going Anywhere
I’m sure you’ve seen by now, but TNT’s hit studio show “Inside the NBA” will continue on next season. Only moving forward, starting with the 2025-26 season, it’ll appear on ESPN/ABC.
Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT, reached agreement with the NBA on a settlement that gives them certain things, such as rights to highlights for social media, after the network sued them. That is over now.
As part of the deal, ESPN/ABC will license “Inside the NBA” — just like they do “The Pat McAfee Show,” which originates right here in Indianapolis. ESPN doesn’t own that show, they license it.
Now, will ESPN give the show the proper airtime and adequate time to do their thing? Because it should not change. It’s special because of what it is and how it’s more a late-night show than it is anything else.
“We've been a longtime partner with that organization,” Silver said of WBD on Pacers TV. “And things just didn't work out over the course of the negotiation. We obviously ended up now with two new television partners (NBC and Prime Video). But there was no question that one of the main things that fans wanted to talk to me about wherever I went was what about “Inside the NBA.”
“And so to me, the fact that there was an opportunity for Warner Brothers Discovery to work something out there with Disney, which oversees ABC and ESPN, and keep that show alive and keep those guys on the air. I know they're fan favorites. Being around the game, we enjoy watching them as well.”
This is a huge positive for basketball fans. As for the other shows, I’d like to see more analysis and talk about actual basketball rather than predictions, grand statements, and hosts actively rooting for teams. But that’s just me.
Sabonis Makes Wine Available to Public
Over the last decade, wine has become more and more popular. Back when I was a ball boy, players on the visiting team would frequently order two things: Grey Goose and Hennessy.
Now, the preference is often wine. And some players in the league may travel with a suitcase of just wine. (Looking at you, CJ McCollum.)
I already told you about T.J. McConnell’s fascination of wine. But one of his friends (and former teammates) has gotten into the business.
After the Pacers dealt Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento, he and his wife elected to live in wine country. Sure, it’s a little bit of a drive to the facility but it’s hard to beat it. And when it’s a short-term thing, I get going all in on where you live.
Through that, they created a wine: “Ones” which plays off his number: 11. they started getting into it a few years ago, it was just a fun hobby. It was just for them.
But a few weeks ago, 50 cases were made available to the public for the first time. I even tried to buy some myself — but when they were over $120 per bottle (with a minimum of three per order), I passed. I have plenty of other good bottles from Total Wine. But that would’ve been fun.
Click here to learn more about Ones.
Watch Oladipo’s IU Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Speech
A few months ago, Victor Oladipo returned to Bloomington for a special honor. He was inducted into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame.
I wrote about it then — and recently had someone send me the video from his induction speech.
At 32, and after several injuries in the past handful of years, it’s been trying on Oladipo. But he’s not done yet. He’s back in Miami and training regularly with David Alexander, who had him in the best shape he had been in during his Pacers days. That relationship fractured unfortunately, and Oladipo later suffered a patellar tendon injury. Then the surgery didn’t go right the first time.
It was a mess.
Most do not get to choose when their career is over and Oladipo is fighting against that right now.
Random… But Now Known
The Indianapolis 500 has already announced its pace car driver for the 109th running: Michael Strahan, the former NFL player turned analyst and morning show personality.
Why Strahan and why so soon? It goes back to TV; it always does.
Fox, where Strahan is employed, is taking over the TV rights to IndyCar from ABC so in Year 1, they’re using one of their biggest personalities to promote it.
“Michael is an impressive addition to the lineup of all-star athletes and celebrities to serve as honorary Pace Car driver for the Indianapolis 500,” said IMS president Doug Boles. “From the gridiron to the broadcast studio, Michael is no stranger to leading a fast-paced field. As we kick off a new era of INDYCAR and the Indy 500 on FOX, Michael will have one of the best seats in the house for the start of the world’s greatest race.”
Strahan will squeeze into a 1,064-horsepower 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 coupe to lead the field of 33 drivers on May 25.
And will Fever star Caitlin Clark be involved in some way? My guess is absolutely, yes. One of her primary sponsors is Gainbridge and the Indianapolis 500 is presented by … Gainbridge. The schedule came out this week and not only are they in town, but they’re off on race day.