Tony East here, the host of the daily Locked On Pacers podcast, with your daily Locked On Pacers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pacers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
How Indiana Pacers stack up after 10 games
Mar 22, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports|Dan Hamilton/Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers with highs and lows through 10 games
The Indiana Pacers 2024-25 season has been a roller coaster so far, marked by impressive victories and unexpected setbacks. As they hit the 10-game mark, it’s clear that this team is still finding its footing. The Pacers have shown flashes of brilliance, defeating formidable opponents, yet they’ve also stumbled in games they were expected to win. This inconsistency is a puzzle that fans and analysts alike are eager to solve.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Resurgence
Tyrese Haliburton has been a focal point of the Pacers’ inconsistent play. Early in the season, Haliburton seemed to be in a slump, with his usual creativity and pace missing. However, recent games have shown a resurgence, with Haliburton displaying the dynamic playmaking that made him a standout last year. His ability to drive the offense, even when not scoring, has been crucial. The question remains whether this is a temporary upswing or a sign of sustained excellence — he had 35 points on Sunday.
Bennedict Mathurin’s Growth
Bennedict Mathurin’s development has been a highlight this campaign. His ability to penetrate defenses and create scoring opportunities has been a game-changer. Mathurin’s improved decision-making and reduced turnovers have made him a more reliable starter, too. While his shooting consistency is still under scrutiny, his overall game has matured significantly. Mathurin’s potential to become a key player for the Pacers is evident, and his continued growth could be pivotal for the team’s success.
The Pacers journey this season is a testament to the challenges and unpredictability of the NBA. With players like Haliburton and Mathurin stepping up, the team has the potential to stabilize and find consistency. However, the road ahead is uncertain, and the Pacers must navigate these peaks and valleys to achieve their goals.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Indiana Pacers season, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
- The impact of Pascal Siakam’s performance on the Pacers
- Analysis of the Pacers recent game against the New York Knicks
- Discussion on the team’s injury challenges and roster depth
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
Fans Pacers stars are raving about Bennedict Mathurin after he posted a ridiculous stat line, generating excitement among fans for his potential. (SI.com) [Oct 4, 2023]
Analysis The Pacers might solve their frontcourt issues internally with a former lottery pick, offering a cost-effective solution to their roster concerns. (SI.com) [Oct 4, 2023]
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Recap
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. 10 games of the 2024-25 Indiana Pacers Former Miller Time Podcast host Dave Searle stops by to discuss the highs and lows of the Pacers first 10 games, including Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, and more.
Pacers take down New York Knicks to get to .500 Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathrin carried the Pacers past the Knicks, and the Pacers are now .500 again. Those two, as well as Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam, secured a crucial win.
Why the Pacers were embarrassed by the Charlotte Hornets The Pacers only scored 83 points in a pathetic loss to the Hornets last Friday. What went wrong? Should Indiana be concerned?
