Pacers Notebook: Worst start continues, Mathurin returns, team gives back, Bird and Magic team up
Indiana drops its eighth straight, struggles with execution and depth, but finds a spark in Mathurin. Plus, Hibiscus Hali 1s out soon, Pacers staffers visit St. Jude, Bird & Magic together again.
Remember when I told you things were going to get worse before they got better? Well, here we are…
The Pacers dropped their eighth straight game on Wednesday, falling 127-112 in Detroit. It was their sixth consecutive loss by 15 points or more. They’ve opened games well, but the fall-off is steep — and by the fourth quarter, the result has usually been decided.
The defeat pushed them to a league-worst 1–13 — the worst start in franchise history.
With a significant portion of the roster sidelined, and several key players out, everyone has been asked to do more. That goes for the coaching staff, the starters, and the newcomers who weren’t even with the team in training camp. Some, like Pascal Siakam, continue to handle their responsibilities at a high level despite the workload. Others have struggled.
The lack of lineup continuity hasn’t helped. Against a red-hot Detroit team, Indiana used its 10th different starting lineup in just 14 games — then endured a sharp bench drop-off.
The final score isn’t the primary concern. The pattern is. Specifically, the self-inflicted mistakes and stretches of lost focus that leave the Pacers playing uphill — and repeatedly called for excessive timeouts.
Giving up 30 paint points in the third quarter alone to Toronto is unacceptable. So is being outscored 78-38 in the paint. Turning it over 21 times for 30 Pistons points is equally damaging.
Their offensive woes are obvious — 30th in field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage, 29th in assists — but this team is better than this.
Transition defense, paint protection, and basic execution remain the most glaring issues. The missed shots make for tough viewing, but watching Raptors reserve Gradey Dick score three consecutive transition layups illustrates the bigger problem.
“We got to do better, really in all areas,” head coach Rick Carlisle said after Monday’s loss
One positive: Bennedict Mathurin returned Monday after missing three weeks with a right great big toe sprain. He’s one of their most dynamic scorers — a player who should average 20-plus points — and they’re parched for any kind of offensive production.
Siakam led the Pacers with 29 points, while Mathurin added 25 on 7-of-16 shooting. Fourteen of his points came in the fourth quarter, though Detroit guard Daniss Jenkins matched the damage on the other end with 13 of his 26 in the period.
Also, Mathurin’s injury came through the game OK. He’s not on the team’s injury report — now down to six players — for Wednesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Other Notes
You may not have noticed how Cody Martin is no longer on the team. His 10-day contract (via hardship exception) expired on Nov. 14 after the team returned from their trip out west. They do not currently qualify for another — not until after Wednesday, after Aaron Nesmith misses his third straight game.
The Pacers made two new hires for their data analytics team: Yashwant Kumar and Grant Cottingham. They lost Brady Baker, who departed to join Zach Chu’s staff at Radford University, a few months ago.
Team president Kevin Pritchard on the passing of former scout Kevin Mackey last week: “RIP Coach Mackey. You were a one of kind. In every scouting meeting you brought Joy, Knowledge and Intensity. I’ll never forget you pounding the table to take Born Ready!”
Boom head coach Tom Hankins became a grandfather last week.
I don’t understand Knicks guard Josh Hart’s disdain for Indy — both the city and pro basketball team. He talked negatively about the city before, and then doubled down on the latest episode of his podcast co-hosted with Jalen Brunson. Joakim Noah was a guest on the “Roommates Show” and asked: “Are there any teams out there that you look at and say, ‘Fuck those guys, those are our rivals?’” Without hesitation, Hart replied: “Indiana. I hate Indiana.” … Two straight playoff exits to the Pacers will do that.
Congrats to my friend Brian Windhorst for — finally — being named to ESPN’s cast for “NBA Countdown.” Not only is he hard working and well-connected, but he’s also great in front of the camera. He’ll be on with Malika Andrews, Kendrick Perkins, coach Michael Malone, and Shams Charania.
The injury bug isn’t unique to Indiana — just more severe here. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been diagnosed with a low-grade left groin strain and will miss a few weeks, Charania reported.
I’m glad the YouTube TV-Disney negotiations are over as they reached agreement on a new deal over the weekend. YouTube, owned by Google, is a massive $3.5 trillion company and on track to become the largest TV distributor. Disney, meanwhile, has the key sports channels us sports fans need. So when the channels went away, it was not a fun 15 days — and ultimately, subscribers lost in the end. (Make sure to claim your $20 credit from YouTube TV because it’s not automatic, though it should be.)
If you need a new show, try “All Her Fault” on Peacock.
I made my weekly appearance on “Query & Company” — this time with Greg Rakestraw guest hosting. You can listen to it here (1:30:43 mark).
Now, here are some news items. Feel free to leave a comment or question.
Kyle Guy to Play For Team USA
Kyle Guy continues to shine.
From retired and coaching to back home again in Indiana, playing well and now to represent the USA.
He was named to USA Basketball’s 12-man roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifying window. Training camp runs Nov. 21–26 in Miami, followed by games in Managua, Nicaragua (Nov. 28 at 8:10 p.m. ET) and College Park, Georgia (Dec. 1 at 7:10 p.m. ET).
The roster includes former Boom/Mad Ants players Nate Hinton and Pedro Bradshaw, and ex-Pacer Torrey Craig.
The rest of the roster: MarJon Beauchamp, Garrison Brooks, Kessler Edwards, Brandon Knight, Jaden Shackelford, Javonte Smart, Jeremiah Tilmon and Ryan Woolridge.
The team will be coached by former Rockets head coach, then Pistons assistant Stephen Silas.
By the way — the injury issues aren’t limited to the Pacers or Fever. The Boom are dealing with their own. Ray Spalding, Samson Johnson, and Cameron Hildreth are all out with back injuries. That’s in addition to the three two-way players currently with the Pacers.
The result: an 0–6 start.
Guy has been a bright spot, averaging 22.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.0 steal.
Haliburton’s “Hibiscus” Hali 1 Drops Next Week
The newest colorway of Tyrese Haliburton’s debut signature shoe releases next week.
PUMA Hoops will release the Hali 1 “Hibiscus” on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The pink-themed model gained instant visibility when Haliburton debuted it in Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City — the night he buried the game-winning shot. He later propped the shoes on the interview table during his postgame session, adding to the moment’s buzz.
“The secret sauce today was these [shoes],” he said with a wide grin.
The Hali 1 retails for $130 and will be available on PUMA.com, at PUMA’s stores in New York City and Las Vegas, and through Foot Locker and Champs Sports.
Haliburton collaborated with designer Salehe Bembury on the project, and his interest in fashion led to deeper involvement than most players have in a debut signature model. The partnership helped shape a shoe aimed at blending style-forward design with on-court performance.
PUMA describes the Hibiscus edition as “crafted in a pink hibiscus colorway” with Bembury’s imprint bringing “a striking futuristic aesthetic.” The brand says the silhouette features a dynamic upper atop a full-length NITROFOAM™ midsole to support the demands of elite play.
Haliburton has embraced the rollout of his first signature line.
Before the season, he hosted a pop-up event in downtown Indianapolis, giving Pacers fans an early chance to secure the initial color way and hear firsthand about the inspiration behind the shoe.
Mathurin Continues To Give Back
More than 250 winter coats were distributed to youth in Montréal-Nord, a borough within Montreal, through an annual coat drive hosted by the Mathurin Family Foundation.
This is the second straight year they have done this — with Benn’s older sister, Jenn, taking on a lot of the responsibility. Adidas, which has an endorsement deal with Benn, also contributed.
The mission of the foundation is to host meaningful events to executive meaningful intentions to help empower the youth to achieve their drives while uplifting their communities.
Pacers Staff Visited St. Jude
The Indiana Pacers opened a three-game road trip in Memphis for their second game of the young season.
While several players and staff members made their annual visit to The Lorraine Motel — the historic site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968 and home to the National Civil Rights Museum — others spent part of their day engaging in another meaningful experience.
Twelve members of the Pacers’ traveling party visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the nation’s leading centers for pediatric catastrophic disease research and treatment.
The group included point guard T.J. McConnell, who was sidelined at the time with a left hamstring strain, along with members of the team’s athletic training, player relations, equipment, public relations, and broadcast.
During the visit, they toured the facility, learned about St. Jude’s pioneering work in childhood cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, and met with staff who help carry out the hospital’s mission.
Click the Instagram post below to see seven photos
For many NBA teams, including the Pacers, a stop at St. Jude has become a meaningful tradition when the schedule allows.
With no back-to-back on the calendar, the Pacers had the flexibility to make the visit on Friday, Oct. 24. Team staff noted that time spent learning about local history, supporting community institutions, and engaging beyond basketball is a valuable part of life on the road.
The National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association later highlighted the Pacers’ visit on social media, helping draw additional attention to the hospital’s mission and the organization’s ongoing work.
Bird and Magic Team Up Again — This Time Off the Court
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson reunited last week — not on the court, but on stage.
Johnson shared a photo of the two Hall of Famers on Nov. 12 after Nuveen CEO Bill Huffman brought them together to speak at a motivational session for more than 300 of the firm’s top global clients.
Nuveen is a global asset management company offering a wide range of investment products and strategies, including equities, fixed income, real estate, and alternative investments.
“Hanging out with one of the greatest that’s ever laced them up - three-time NBA champion, two-time Hall of Fame, and 3x NBA MVP Larry Bird aka Larry Legend!” Johnson wrote on social media.
“Larry and I want to thank Bill Huffman Nuveen CEO for inviting us together today. We delivered an incredible motivational session to over 300 of the top Nuveen clients from around the world about teamwork, preparation, a winning attitude, and a championship mindset!”
“There will never be another basketball player like Larry Bird!!”
Bird and Johnson, whose rivalry defined the NBA through the 1980s, later transitioned into front-office roles: Johnson with the Los Angeles Lakers and Bird with the Indiana Pacers.
Bird currently serves as consultant to the Pacers’ basketball operations staff, a role he resumed before the 2022-23 season. He primarily spends time in Florida, but visits when he wants — often spending extended time around pre-draft workouts, including this past spring.
As the NBA season moves into mid-November, the Lakers are off to a 10–4 start despite being without LeBron James, while the Pacers are 1–12.
A fun video to watch:
I clicked on the link for ur interview. And Commercial and then Rake went on and on, after 2-3 mins. I turned it off. Just wanted to hear u, not his show! I thought that was all I was going to hear.