Indiana Pacers: 3 most dramatic changes from last season

3. The Indiana Pacers are not racking up assists at last season’s level

2020-21: 63.3 Assist Percentage (5th), 27.4 APG (2nd)

2021-22: 56.8 Assist Percentage (20th), 23.2 APG (15th)

After a dramatic improvement last season as a ball movement team, ranking second in assists per game and fifth in assist percentage, the Indiana Pacers have now deviated from such, now sitting at the bottom half of the league in both departments.

The Pacers’ decline in rebounding is perhaps a tradeoff of their more deliberate attack. With a substantial drop-off in pace, the team simply doesn’t have much room for rapid fire passing, unlike Nate Bjorkgren’s offense, which made passing cardinal. The absence of Doug McDermott, whose off-ball movement freed up ample opportunities for the team, as well as the high usage of isolation players such as Caris LeVert and Chris Duarte, have both contributed to the Blue and Gold’s more modest assist numbers.

Returning to last season’s degree in assists may not be tenable anymore given the Pacers’ shift in offense, but improving their passing in general could be what improves their middling and oftentimes stagnant scoring attack so far, which sunk them recently.