The Indiana Pacers kicked off the playoffs exactly how they wanted to--with a 19-point victory over the Milwaukee Bucks to go up 1-0 in the series. It is just one game, but the Pacers did a great job of silencing their doubters and will look to carry this momentum over into the rest of the series.
Indiana played fantastic basketball on both sides of the ball, and they had incredible performances by their tops guys. This is especially true for Myles Turner, who made his impact felt on both sides of the ball. However, not all went well for the Pacers, and there was one player on the team whose fate may have been sealed in the win.
The Pacers may move on from one of their veterans soon
The Pacers played some great basketball on Saturday and are well-equipped to win the series. However, if they do, chances are that they will not be incorporating backup big man Thomas Bryant too much. In the win, Bryant recorded six points on 1-for-2 shooting in 12 minutes. However, he was a team-low -6 on the court, though he had some solid moments.
When the Pacers traded for Bryant from the Miami Heat in December, they acquired him for his depth and energy. During his stint with the Pacers, he played very well in his role. However, he is not somebody the Pacers will rely on much in the playoffs, and that does not bode well for his future with the team.
Bryant is an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Pacers will have many decisions to make, particularly involving Myles Turner (who is also an unrestricted free agent) and Bennedict Mathurin, who is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension. However, it is safe to say Bryant will likely not be in the team's long-term future, especially since the Pacers will likely prioritize bringing Isaiah Jackson back in the offseason instead.
For the rest of the postseason, barring unforeseeable circumstances, Bryant will likely not get much playing time. While he provides some value and has been a solid backup with the Pacers, moving on from him in the offseason may be in the team's best interest.
Regardless of what may happen in the offseason, the Pacers still have a tall task in front of them with the Milwaukee Bucks. Though they won Game 1, the series is far from over, and the Pacers must continue to bring their A-game. Their next game will be on Tuesday at 7 PM EST.