Indiana Pacers: Grades from preseason opener vs. Cavaliers
By Luke Parrish
The Indiana Pacers are back in action after preseason tips off.
Preseason exhibitions are underway as the Indiana Pacers open up the 2020-21 season against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the first of two exhibitions against Cleveland, the Pacers suffered a 107-104 loss after Cleveland converted a three-point play with less than a second remaining.
The Pacers were without a handful of contributors due to injury to open the season. T.J. Warren will miss some time, though it is undetermined just how long he will be off the floor. Goga Bitadze, Brian Bowen II, and Jeremy Lamb were held out of the contest as well.
Updated injury report for tonight's game in Cleveland.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 12, 2020
Goga Bitadze: Out (right ankle sprain)
Brian Bowen II: Out (partial groin tear)
Jeremy Lamb: Out (torn ACL)
T.J. Warren: Out (plantar fasciitis)
JaKarr Sampson: Available (lower back)
The game was sloppy from the very beginning as both teams clearly have a lot of rust to shake off. Between turnovers, missed shots, and fouls, the Pacers and Cavs struggled to find any rhythm in their first matchup but that is to be expected in the preseason. The biggest takeaway is that Indiana was not shy from beyond the arc for the first time in forever.
Which Pacers stood out and which guys have plenty to clean up before the regular season starts? Here is the first batch of player grades from the 2020-21 NBA season.