The Pacers Post Up

With All-Star reserve spots up for grabs, the margin is razor thin. Brad and Ryan break down the crowded field — roughly 9–10 legitimate candidates for 7 reserve spots — and make the case for why Pascal Siakam deserves to hear his name called. Despite the Pacers lack of team success, Siakam has quietly done more with less than many of his peers in the conversation. While others benefit from stability and surrounding talent, Pascal has been the steady anchor for a roster plagued by injuries, lineup changes, and constant rotation churn. Game winners. Night-to-night consistency. An elite all-around stat line. This episode lays out why coaches should reward impact, responsibility, and reliability — not just team record — when casting their votes for the NBA All-Star Game. Call it homerism if you want — but the case is real, and the production backs it up.

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There comes a point where potential, flashes, and hope have to give way to reality. In this episode, Brad and Ryan lay out the case for why it may be time for the Indiana Pacers to move on from Bennedict Mathurin — and do so while there’s still real value to be had. Mathurin, a former lottery pick, has shown undeniable scoring talent and delivered unforgettable moments — most notably his eruption in Game 3 of the NBA Finals last season. But as the sample size grows, those highs have increasingly become the exception rather than the rule. The all-around production, consistency, and fit within the Pacers identity simply haven’t followed. With restricted free agency looming and a potentially significant payday on the horizon, the front office faces a difficult question: is Mathurin a long-term building block — or an asset best moved before the league’s perception shifts further? This isn’t about denying the talent. It’s about timing, fit, and value. Sometimes, the hardest move is the right move, and simply put — it’s time to Break Up With Benn.

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The Pacers walk back into Oklahoma City and do the most Pacers thing possible — they beat the NBA’s best team and exorcise some serious demons. Indiana avenges last year’s Game 7 heartbreak with a cathartic win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, delivering one of the most fun nights of an otherwise frustrating season. A career night from Jarace Walker, elite defense from Johnny Furphy in the starting lineup, and a near triple-double on hyper-efficient shooting from Andrew Nembhard powered the win. The Pacers did it shorthanded, too — without Tyrese Haliburton in the building, as he shared with Taylor Rooks that it was still too soon to return following his Game 7 Achilles injury. He made it clear though: the next time he’s in OKC, he plans to be in uniform. A night of redemption, release, and a reminder of what this group is capable of when it all clicks.

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We wrap up our three-part midseason report card series by tackling the most debated position on the roster: Center. Brad and Ryan hand out letter grades and classroom-style comps for every big man who’s logged minutes this season, breaking down roles, production, fit, and limitations within the Pacers’ system. We discuss what’s worked, what clearly hasn’t, and why the position remains the biggest unresolved question as the season hits its midpoint. The conversation zooms out to the bigger picture — how roster construction, matchup realities, and schematic needs have shaped the Pacers approach, and why the front office is almost certainly gearing up for change. Whether that answer comes via trade, the draft, or free agency, one thing is clear: the center position will define the next phase of this rebuild. Honest grades, clear-eyed evaluation, and a look ahead at what has to be addressed moving forward.

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Part 2 of our midseason report card series turns the focus to the wings and forwards — the most versatile and identity-shaping group on the Pacers roster. Brad and Ryan hand out letter grades and classroom-style comps for the Pacers frontcourt and wing rotation, including Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy, and the rest of the group tasked with defending, spacing the floor, and bridging lineups on both ends. We evaluate production, role clarity, growth, and fit — who’s delivered, who’s developing, and who’s still finding consistency as the season hits its midpoint. The conversation also zooms out to examine how this group supports the core, what it means for lineup flexibility, and how these pieces factor into the Pacers long-term vision. Honest grades, fair critiques, and context for where the wings and forwards stand heading into the second half. Next up: Centers — and the biggest questions still left to answer.

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We’re kicking off a three-part midseason report card series with a deep dive into the Pacers guard rotation. In Part 1, Brad and Ryan hand out letter grades and classroom-style comps for every guard on the roster — including Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, Kam Jones, and the two-way contributors. We evaluate roles, consistency, growth, and fit within the team’s identity at the halfway point of the season. Who’s exceeded expectations? Who’s still finding their footing? And which guards are shaping the future of this roster? Honest grades, clear reasoning, and a snapshot of where the backcourt stands heading into the second half. Next up: Wings & Forwards… then Centers.

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At the halfway point of the season, Brad and Ryan step back to assess what we’ve learned so far — and what it all means moving forward — with a Top 10 takeaways breakdown of the Indiana Pacers. We dive into the evolving core, including what we’re seeing from Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith, and how their roles and responsibilities have shaped the team’s identity through the first half. We also take stock of the young players — who’s trending up, who’s finding their footing, and what development has looked like in real time. The center position remains a major storyline, and we revisit where our preseason expectations missed the mark, what’s changed, and why it’s still one of the biggest questions the front office will need to answer. We’re honest about where we were wrong, what surprised us, and how the season has shifted our outlook. Finally, we look ahead. With Tyrese Haliburton working towards his return, the front office active in trade conversations, and a potential top draft pick looming this offseason, there’s real reason for optimism — even in a season filled with turbulence. A clear-eyed midseason reset, big-picture context, and why the Pacers future remains very much in play.

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The Pacers knock off the Boston Celtics behind a late-game winner from Pascal Siakam, extending their winning streak to three games — their longest of the season and currently tied for the longest active streak in the NBA. Andrew Nembhard once again controlled the game with his playmaking, while Jay Huff delivered one of his best offensive performances of the year. Brad and Ryan discuss what this recent 3–0 stretch means — the feeling of winning again, the boost to confidence and continuity — while also grappling with the bigger picture. As the season nears its midpoint, how should fans balance meaningful wins with draft lottery implications, knowing every victory pushes a top-five pick further away? A statement win, a hot streak, and big questions ahead.

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Two weeks after giving up 142 points in Miami, the Pacers flipped the script in emphatic fashion. Indiana goes wire to wire in a blowout win over the Miami Heat, holding Miami under 100 points and delivering one of their most complete performances of the season. Andrew Nembhard led the way with a big night, pouring in 29 points, 9 assists, and 0 turnovers, continuing to flourish in an expanded lead-guard role after an injury-riddled and uneven start to the year. His control, pace, and decision-making set the tone from the opening tip. The Pacers also made a notable frontcourt adjustment, going small-ball to match up with Bam Adebayo, starting Pascal Siakam and Johnny Furphy together. The centers did enough in their minutes, the spacing paid dividends, and Indiana’s ball movement and shot-making never let Miami settle in. Young contributors Furphy and Jarace Walker delivered strong performances, the ball popped, and the defensive intensity never dipped — a complete team win that showed growth, adaptability, and confidence.

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The streak is over — and history finally breaks the right way. The Indiana Pacers take down the Charlotte Hornets behind huge veteran performances from Pascal Siakam and T.J. McConnell, snapping the franchise-record 13-game losing streak and delivering Rick Carlisle his 1,000th career win, making him just the 11th coach in NBA history to reach the milestone. With the game tied and four minutes to go, Carlisle called a crucial timeout to settle the group — and the Pacers responded. Ben Sheppard came up with massive rebounds down the stretch, Siakam buried the go-ahead bucket, and McConnell delivered his patented late-game steal to essentially seal it. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t perfect. But it was a real team win — and one the locker room desperately needed. We break down how it happened, why it mattered, and what it could mean moving forward.

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