Just like that, the Indiana Pacers open up the 2024-25 NBA season with a win. After trailing 90-82 going into the fourth quarter, Tyrese Haliburton and company captured the first victory of the new campaign on the road against the Detroit Pistons.
While just about every player on this year's roster was here last season, the numbers should look familiar. In a 115-109 win, there are certainly a few standouts and, unfortunately, a potential pair of flutters.
Stud: Myles Turner
Having a team-high in points and rebounds definitely solidifies a claim that this player was a stud in the Pacers' first win. Turner is that player.
With 20 points and nine rebounds, Turner was a major contributor in the game. He was one more rebound shy of a double-double.
The ten-year veteran flexed his shooting range, as well. Turner connected on three of his eight attempts from behind the three-point arc.
Furthermore, the Pacers' starting center also made all three of his free throw attempts in the contest. He also added four assists and four blocks in his 36 minutes on the court.
Turner shot 50% from the floor overall on Wednesday night. His four turnovers may be a concern along with none of his nine rebounds being an offensive board. However, Turner, who is playing on the last year of his current contract, played strong against the Pistons.
Stud: Pascal Siakam
The other big man in the starting lineup for the Indiana Pacers had a terrific game. Siakam filled up the stat sheet with 19 points, eight boards, and one assist shy of his own double-double.
The 30-year-old star had a +15 for the Pacers while on the floor. That was tied for second in the game with Haliburton. Turner had the time in that category, too, with a +20 against the Pistons.
Though he did miss one of his three free throws, Siakam made eight of his 15 shots. He finished the game with a slightly better shooting average than Turner.
Siakam looked smooth and confident in his first season opener with the Pacers. The former NBA champion and last year's midseason acquisition logged a pair of steals. Siakam displayed disciplined defense by not committing a foul or a turnover.
If Siakam's play is contagious on the defensive end for the Pacers, there is a very good chance that Indiana could not only return to the playoffs but have another deep run.
Duds: Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith
During the offseason, the Pacers retained their backup power forward on a four-year deal worth $58 million. That did not look like money well spent on Wednesday night.
Against the Pistons, Obi Toppin checked into the game and played 16 minutes for the Pacers. He took just two shots and made only one. Registering one rebound, a steal, and a pair of assists are a far cry from some of his best games last year.
After three seasons with the New York Knicks, Toppin joined the Pacers last season. In his fourth year in the league, he averaged a career-high 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. He also did not miss a single game last season.
In his second-ever season opener with the Pacers, Toppin had the second-highest +/- on the team with a -9. He committed a foul nearly every five minutes he was on the court.
Another Pacers player that did not fair too well against the Pistons was Aaron Nesmith. In his 19 minutes in the game, he went just 2-4 but did make both of his free throws.
Last October, Nesmith signed a three-year extension worth $33 million. Like Toppin, he didn't play to his potential in the Pacers' first game of the new season.
In the past two seasons with Indiana, Nesmith has averaged at least 10 points and collected 3.8 rebounds. He also averaged 25 minutes a game or more.
Sure, this is just the first game, and not everyone can play well in every game. As Indiana has high expectations and hopes for this season, Toppin and Nesmith surely can and will do better.
Stud: T.J. McConnell
Statistically, the backup point guard did fairly better than the starting point guard for the Indiana Pacers. While Haliburton finished the game with 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists, he did so in 35 minutes.
McConnell played in less than half of the time (16 minutes) and scored 14 points off the bench. He also tallied as many assists as Haliburton and pulled in two boards, as well.
The 32-year-old went nearly perfect from the floor on Wednesday night. He missed just once during his eight shots, all from within the arc.
Haliburton had three turnovers and McConnell had just one. With a stat line like McConnell's the Pacers should not be concerned with the -9 net points with him on the court.
Indiana's backup point guard picked up where he left off last season as the Pacers boasted the league's best second unit. If McConnell continues to have nights like this, that accomplishment could happen again this season.