Three games into the season, no team should hit the panic button already. This season is different than last year, though. After ending a four-year playoff drought, the Indiana Pacers were four more wins from returning to the NBA Finals.
The league's best offense from a season ago returns the majority of its players. They averaged 124.3 points a game in their first three games last year.
This season, the offense has been stagnant as they are averaging just 109 points. Starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton was even held scoreless on Friday night at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks.
With Sunday's overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Indiana Pacers are now 1-2 entering Monday's contest on the road against the Orlando Magic. The offense has looked grim early on.
Category (First 3 games) | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
Total Rebounds | 150 | 109 |
Free Throws | 46-54 (85.18%) | 58-79 (73.41%) |
Turnovers | 36 | 49 |
3-Point Percentage | 47-127 (37.01%) | 25-93 (26.88%) |
A change to the Pacers' starting lineup could be in order
Again, a three-game sample size is hardly enough of a window to see into the future. However, there are numbers that are alarming.
As mentioned, the offense is struggling this year. The Pacers are averaging a -7 in terms of net points per game so far. Last season, Indiana averaged a +9 in as many games-- three.
Rebounding has been a major concern. Last year, the Pacers averaged 50 rebounds a game after going 2-1. At 1-2, Indiana has yet to collect 40 rebounds in a contest this season.
They are averaging more turnovers a game now, as well. Haliburton and company are averaging more than 16 turnovers a game. That's four more mishaps a contest than a season ago. The Pacers' three-point and free throw percentages are down, too.
A potential switch in the starting lineup may be in order, especially with nine of their next 10 games coming against playoff teams from last year. Three of the four next contests for Indiana are away from Gainbridge, too.
"I love our group... We’ve put a target on our backs, which is fine, but we’re going to have to make sure we keep the same edge."Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers Head Coach
The Pacers must consider starting Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard
Pacers' head coach Rick Carlisle has a deep roster. Point guard, power forward, and center are firmly in place for now. Haliburton is the floor general with big men Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner being reliable forces at the four and five spot, respectively.
The shooting guard and small forward positions may need to be looked at. Sunday's game against the 76ers was the first where both Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith scored at least 10 points. In the first two games prior, they combined for 21 points. Bennedict Mathurin has recorded 39 points during the same time frame.
Putting Mathurin at the starting small forward improves the offensive production from this spot of the first five for Carlisle's lineup. This is his third year with the Pacers. In his first two seasons in the league, Mathurin averaged 15.5 points, four rebounds, and 1.75 assists a game.
Ben Sheppard is another intriguing player here. He could be the Pacers' shooting guard of the future if given the opportunity. His minutes have increased each game so far. He has shot 57% from the floor and 66.7% from behind the arc.
During the postseason for the Pacers last year, the rookie guard scored at least seven points or more in 17 playoff games. Inserting him (along with Mathurin) could instill confidence in these young Pacers players as well as infuse some adrenaline to bring some octane back to Indiana's offense.
For now, Carlisle has not indicated that he is switching Nesmith or Nembhard out of the starting lineup. If points and wins continue to be hard to come by, it certainly should be considered.