‘This group never gives up’: Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers' relentless belief is their superpower
Is this a team of destiny? It’s starting to feel like it. Belief isn’t just their motto. It’s their blueprint.
OKLAHOMA CITY — The opportunities have been there for the Indiana Pacers all season.
Opportunities to get frustrated by their circumstances, to make excuses, and to wave the white flag early.
They lost a role player, James Wiseman, for the season in the opener. Then several more went down, including another big, Isaiah Jackson, also lost for the season. For seven games, two-way guard Quenton Jackson started — and even led them in scoring during a November loss in Houston.
Each time this team is counted out, they come back stronger.
Whether it’s in a series — being the underdog in most playoff games — or falling behind by 15 or 20 points in a game.
The Pacers went all-in on this group, giving a half-dozen of them new contracts after last year’s run to the conference finals, choosing continuity and investing belief in the 18 guys in that locker room.
The majority of this team has experienced the lows together — from lottery-bound seasons to limited big-game experience. Remember the inaugural NBA Cup two years ago? The Pacers treated it like the playoffs because they didn’t know any better.
It helped instill the value of each game, each quarter, each possession.
The Pacers aren’t where they are today because shots suddenly started falling or their defense drastically improved.
This is all part of their process — and it has naturally progressed forward. Few expected this massive leap, but as we’ve seen all season, this group likes their odds.
No matter how slim.