According to NBA correspondent Marc Stein, the Indiana Pacers are expected to sign Lance Stephenson for the remainder of the season after his 10-day contract ends Monday.
Lance Stephenson has been a jolt of energy for the Indiana Pacers, setting a Pacers career-high in points (30) on Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets, and a personal career-high in assists (14) against the Utah Jazz Saturday.
After a 125-113 win against the Utah Jazz, Rick Carlisle spoke to the media and said this about Stephenson: “Lance has given us a different vibe as a team. The spark he provides, the personality, there is a change in our team.”
It’s obvious that this Indiana Pacers team has been relishing off the energy Lance Stephenson has provided. In the Indiana Pacers win against the Utah Jazz, Lance Stephenson assisted on 10 of Domantas Sabonis’ 18-field goals, which led to his career-high of 42-points.
Lance Stephenson talked with Bally Sports Sideline reporter Jeremiah Johnson after the Pacers’ victory over the Jazz. Johnson asked Stephenson about his connection with Sabonis and why the two work so well together.
"“I know that guy (Sabonis) like the back of my hand. I am gonna hit him every time because he knows what to do. When he sets the screen, (he’s) unstoppable. Just give him the ball and he (is) gonna make something happen.”"
On Thursday the Indiana Pacers waived guard-forward Kelan Martin. This opened up a roster spot for the Indiana Pacers, and all signs pointed to Lance Stephenson being the beneficiary of that open roster spot.
Kevin Pritchard and the front office knew that bringing Lance Stephenson in on a 10-day contract was bigger than just filling out a healthy roster with eight Pacers in health and safety protocols.
Rick Carlisle in his press conference after the Indiana Pacers win against the Utah Jazz talked about why Kevin Pritchard brought Lance Stephenson in on this 10-day contract:
"“Kevin told me we need some personality and we need some energy. A lot of people are gonna roll their eyes at this, and I told him, I’m not rolling my eyes. I just want to know as much as I can about this guy so I can let him loose and let him play his game.”"
During the broadcast of the Pacers-Jazz game, Quinn Buckner of Bally Sports said this about Lance Stephenson: “He brought the fun back.”
Quinn is one-hundred percent right. The Lance Effect is a real thing. Pacers fans have been buzzing all over social media since Lance made his Indiana Pacers return.
After his career 20-point first quarter against the Nets, Stephenson put the league on notice, and every major basketball outlet on Twitter was sharing highlights from Lance’s phenomenal performance.
The 31-year old guard has been the spark that this team desperately needed. Seeing Lance play an unselfish style of basketball, setting up teammates, and scoring in the flow of the offense has been refreshing to watch.
Not only has Lance done a great job of finding the open man, but he also has the ability to put pressure on opposing defenses by getting downhill.
Multiple times during the last two home games, you can see Stephenson attack the basket, causing the defense to react and that action has allowed for wide-open looks from three and dump-offs to the big man who is rolling to the basket.
It is clear that Stephenson has carved himself a spot into the rotation even when the roster gets fully healthy. Carlisle has had nothing but praise for Lance Stephenson and his infectious energy.
Rejoice Indiana Pacers fans; Lance Stephenson is here to stay for (at minimum) the remainder of the season.