What should fans expect from the Indiana Pacers this season?
So far this week we have taken a look at the best and worst possible scenarios for the Indiana Pacers during the 2021-22 NBA season. Indiana missed the playoffs last year and found themselves at the end of the NBA Draft Lottery but their goals should be much higher this time around.
With a new head coach at the helm – and one that has proven to be very respected – the Pacers should be somewhat optimistic about their near future. Rick Carlisle returns to Indiana to finish his business from over a decade ago and the Pacers have a playoff-caliber roster as things stand.
The only thing that is clearly in their way right now is the risk of injury, which I know has been an annoying caveat for a long time. Indiana has built this roster on guys with obvious injury concerns with the hope of them staying healthy enough to make it worth their time. Up to this point, those same concerns have proven to be difficult.
Several key players have missed time over the past two seasons, including the playoffs. T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis, and Myles Turner have all missed the end of the season recently.
Will the Indiana Pacers finally get over the hump as they take on a tough Eastern Conference this year or will they continue to be left behind? Here are realistic expectations for the team in 2021-22.
How will the Indiana Pacers do in the 2021-22 regular season?
The regular season was where the Pacers thrived under Nate McMillan before falling apart in the first round of the playoffs. They consistently put together strong seasons and wound up near the top of the East but couldn’t quite get things done in the playoffs. Nate Bjorkgren’s arrival put them a few steps in the wrong direction which led to the hiring of Rick Carlisle this summer.
Carlisle was the right guy for the job when he was announced and the front office should be happy about it. Indiana brings in a proven head coach to help lead a starting five that consists of four high-caliber scoring threats and a potential Defensive Player of the Year.
Last season, Warren was shut down almost immediately while Caris LeVert missed two months after his trade to Indiana. That left the Pacers with two glaring holes in the starting lineup before Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis battles nagging injuries of their own.
Eventually, health will be on Indiana’s side in some capacity. I’m not asking for a perfectly healthy season but losing key starters for long stretches has put a dent in their plans for far too long.
This season, Indiana will have the depth to handle the loss of any of their key starters with Isaiah Jackson and Chris Duarte having the flexibility to fit in wherever they are needed. T.J. McConnell returning at backup point guard is a good safety net for Malcolm Brogdon as well.
With everything back to normal for now, let’s give a bit of a more realistic prediction for the regular season. The Pacers should be back in the mix for a playoff spot in the East despite a tougher road to the postseason this year.
Prediction: The Indiana Pacers finish with a record of 44-38, good for 7th in the Eastern Conference and setting them up for a first-round clash with the Milwaukee Bucks if they survive the Play-in.
Will the Indiana Pacers improve in the playoffs?
Finishing in seventh place will put Indiana in the Play-In Tournament once again, this time with the home-court advantage and a chance to lock up the 7th seed in the playoffs. Assuming that is the case, the Pacers will meet up with one of Milwaukee or Brooklyn in all likelihood, making for a very tough matchup.
Both teams have enough to wipe the floor with the Pacers if we are just being honest, and that should be expected come next April. Indiana can certainly give a fair fight in a game or two but fans should not expect them to win a series, especially if they are this low of a seed.
The Bucks are returning as NBA Champs with a target on their backs but Giannis has proven to be a force in the playoffs. As good as Sabonis and Turner are, they cannot hold a candle to Giannis when he has his sights set on winning.
Indiana is a talented team with a lot of potential but they do not have what it takes to challenge any of the top three teams in the East. Brooklyn, Philly, and Milwaukee are all far too strong and have the stars that Indiana does not.
Final prediction: The Indiana Pacers will lose in the first round of the playoffs, falling to Milwaukee 4-1.