2 Biggest storylines for Pacers preseason opener vs. Grizzlies

Ladies and gentlemen, we are almost there. Indiana Pacers basketball returns tonight, Sunday, October 8, at 8:00 PM Eastern time against the Memphis Grizzlies.

This will be the Pacers’ first NBA game since their April 9 loss to the New York Knicks, which ended their 2022-23 season at 35-47. This will also be the basketball world’s first look at the new Pacers additions over the offseason, including rookies Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard, free agent signing Bruce Brown, and trade acquisition Obi Toppin from New York.

2 Biggest storylines for Indiana Pacers preseason opener vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Over the past few weeks and months, there has been quite a lot of buzz surrounding the Pacers in regards to what they can do this upcoming season, with some even pegging them to nab a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference and skip out on the Play-In altogether to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020 when the team looked drastically different.

In fact, the 2023-24 Indiana Pacers look so different from the 2019-20 Pacers that only one player from the 2020 team is still in Indiana as of today – Myles Turner. He is also one of the longest-tenured NBA players with only one team, with this upcoming season being his eighth year with Indiana.

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However, some have doubts about the Pacers as usual, or just don’t watch enough Indiana basketball, and have the Pacers slated to miss the playoffs yet again.

In fact, ESPN released their Eastern Conference projections on Friday. They have the Pacers finishing as the 10th seed with a mere 38 wins, which is peculiar since Indiana was on pace to make the playoffs last season before Haliburton’s injury, which ultimately put them back in the lottery.

Nevertheless, the Indiana Pacers are back, and before the game tips off at 8:00 p.m., here are some things to get you refreshed on the blue and gold.