The Indiana Pacers are returning to the court after an amazing run last season, where they ran through the Eastern Conference and got to the NBA Finals.
Their run came to an end in game 7 of the Finals when the star of the team, Tyrese Haliburton, went down with an Achilles injury during the first quarter of game 7. The Pacers went on to lose to the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-91. This year, Haliburton will be out for the whole duration of the season and possibly some of next if needed.
This year, the Pacers will have to persevere through the season without not only Haliburton but also long-time Pacer Myles Turner, who left the Pacers this year during free agency and signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pacers’ need for a new starting center was met when they signed Jay Huff, a center from the Memphis Grizzlies who had almost identical stats to Turner last year, but we’re only paying him $2.3 million a year compared to Turner’s whopping $20 million a year contract.
Finally, as of October 9, the Pacers signed Cam Payne to their practice squad, which could stir up the point guard position in Indianapolis.
This year’s starting lineup is going to be a little bit different with all these new changes. Starting with the point guard position, Andrew Nembhard seems to be at the top of the list to start, especially as T.J. McConnell injured his hamstring recently, leaving him unable to play for 3-4 weeks.
There’s also a new variable in this position with the Payne signing. When he played on the Phoenix Suns from 2019-2023, he was a reliable backup to NBA legend Chris Paul. He averaged 9.8 points per game while being a backup point guard, but his impact wasn’t defined by points.
For shooting guard, it will most likely be Benedict Mathurin, who was a consistent role player throughout the season last year, and his backup would be Ben Sheppard.
Like point guard, small forward is another position that could be up for grabs with people like Johnny Furphy, who’s been heating up these first two preseason games, and Jarace Walker, another solid player who can play all around, but overall, Aaron Nesmith will be in the starting 5 as our small forward.
For the power forward, you still really only have Pascal Siakam and backup Obi Toppin, as of now, that won’t change.
Finally, for the center position is another one that could be up for grabs with the new signing of Jay Huff, and James Wiseman coming back from his Achilles tendon tear.
The Pacers will start their regular season journey on Thursday, October 23 where they will be at home to play the Oklahoma Thunder in a NBA Finals rematch here at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
