The Indiana Pacers went through their ups and downs at the beginning of the season, but they are finally starting to figure things out. Indiana is now multiple games over .500 for the first time this season and went undefeated through the first week of 2025. They still have ways to go, but the Pacers are looking like that fun and exciting team many saw last year.
As it stands, the Pacers sit firmly in the playoff picture. Whether they can make some noise similar to last season, when they made the conference finals, remains to be seen. Regardless, after a slow start to the year, many fans did not expect the Pacers to reach this point at all this season.
Every week, NBA experts create a power ranking for each team in the league. Over the past few weeks, the Pacers have gradually been climbing their way up the ladder. However, after a dominant start to January, the Pacers have made their biggest jump on these power rankings yet, suggesting that they have officially turned things around and are ready for another deep playoff run.
The Pacers are officially 'back' amidst hot streak
Website | Ranking | Previous ranking |
|---|---|---|
Bleacher Report | 13 | 18 |
CBS | 14 | 19 |
ESPN | 15 | 19 |
NBC Sports | 15 | 18 |
NBA | 12 | 16 |
In all these power rankings, the Pacers jumped at least three spots. This should be no surprise as they are easily in the midst of their best stretch of basketball this season.
Much of their turnaround has to do with simply getting healthy. For many games, the Pacers were without players such as Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard. Getting both of them back provided a huge boost to the Pacers on both sides of the court and helped with their continuity and chemistry.
Another important aspect of Indiana's recent run is that every player's role is becoming more established. Particularly, head coach Rick Carlisle recent praised Bennedict Mathurin for his development as a team player, which has helped the Pacers become more efficient.
Most importantly, the Pacers are beginning to play the same brand of basketball fans are accustomed to seeing out of them. The whole team, especially Tyrese Haliburton, is playing with much more confidence and is more aggressive. They are once again playing basketball at a fast pace, which will only bode well for their future.
The season is not even halfway over yet, but it is not too early to say the Pacers have officially bounced back from their slow start. Whether they can continue this run remains to be seen. However, if they do, there is no reason to think the Pacers are not contenders to make another conference finals appearance later this year.