It was a long time coming, but the Indiana Pacers finally added a game to the win column post-All-Star break following Monday night's 128-126 victory over the Orlando Magic. And in doing so, they gave the fans a bit of joy in the midst of what has been a dreadful season.
Additionally, Monday's win snapped their franchise-record 16-game losing streak (which, funny enough, is the second time this season they broke this record).
Indiana was led by Pascal Siakam, who scored a team-high 37 points while shooting 13-for-26 from the field and recorded six rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and an assist in 34 minutes. The team also got solid performances out of Jarace Walker (20 points on 7-for-13 shooting and five rebounds), Aaron Nesmith (19 points on 6-for-11 shooting), and Andrew Nembhard (13 points, 14 assists).
The Pacers are already out of playoff contention, own the worst record in the NBA, and don't have much to play for for the rest of the season. But after going winless for over a month, fans should at least be happy to see them on the opposite side this one time, especially if it turns out to be their last win of the season.
Pacers fans needed to see a win
Even for all the pro-tankers and all the fans who are happy with Indiana sitting at the bottom of the league, the team's latest losing streak was becoming a bit too much.
In the midst of their losing streak, the Pacers lost to the Washington Wizards (twice), Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Sacramento Kings, all teams that are lottery-bound as well. They also lost to the New York Knicks twice, which is always a bad time for Pacers fans.
Plus, they were constantly without at least one of Siakam, Nembhard, Nesmith, T.J. McConnell, and Obi Toppin.
Regardless, the Pacers finally had a mostly healthy squad and reminded everybody just how good they can still be. Even if Orlando was on a four-game losing streak heading into Monday's game, it's still going to be in the postseason this year. So for the Pacers to take a game like this is an encouraging sign for next season and beyond.
And on top of all of that, the Pacers still own the worst record in the league. It's much closer now as they are just 0.5 games behind Washington (which is also now on a 16-game losing streak) in the standings. But if Monday's game proved anything, it's that maybe Pacers fans can have their cake and eat it too.