Pacers return to Paycom Center, leave with a victory to savor
Behind Andrew Nembhard, Jarace Walker, and a new starting lineup, Indiana led most of the way in Oklahoma City and earned the victory that eluded them in Game 7. This one was for Tyrese Haliburton.
Good afternoon and welcome back to Fieldhouse Files.
I hope you stayed safe and warm this past weekend during the winter storm. In addition to covering the Pacers’ big win, I spent part of Saturday in Bloomington as IU football celebrated its undefeated 2025 national championship, then Sunday at Hinkle Fieldhouse broadcasting Butler vs. Marquette Big East basketball on ESPN+.
As for the Pacers, it was a relatively quiet weekend outside of the celebration enjoyed Friday night following a 117-114 victory in Oklahoma City.
Entering the game, the Thunder owned the best record in the NBA (37-8) and had lost just twice at home all season. Even more, they’ve been dominant at Paycom Center over the past two years — except when they play the Pacers.
Before diving into that win, here are a few additional notes:
Note today’s start time has been moved up. The Pacers and Hawks will tip off today at State Farm Arena at 1:30 p.m. ET rather than 7:30 due to inclement weather.
It’s the final stop on a five-game road trip. Then they return to Indy for four games over seven days: Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Utah.
The Pacers’ arrival in Atlanta was delayed, staying overnight in OKC on Friday and not getting in until Saturday afternoon. Having two days between games helped, especially with Monday’s earlier tip.
Guards Bennedict Mathurin (right thumb sprain) and Quenton Jackson (right ankle sprain) were updated to questionable. You can expect both players to be available. Mathurin last played on Jan. 2 against San Antonio.
Jackson underwent scans on Thursday and Rick Carlisle said it was “good news.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the top vote-getter in the Eastern Conference, will miss All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles after sustaining a right calf injury expected to sideline him 4 to 6 weeks. Commissioner Adam Silver will select his replacement — further increasing Pascal Siakam’s chances of earning an All-Star spot.
One for Tyrese
The Pacers did not make an announcement and Tyrese Haliburton didn’t offer any hints, but he wasn’t quite ready to return to Oklahoma City for the first time.
That’s understandable. How Game 7 unfolded — not just the loss, but Haliburton crumbling to the floor as his right Achilles tore — was a lot for anyone to process.
