With Tyrese Haliburton dealing with a right calf injury that may or may not end his season, the Indiana Pacers have one clear adjustment they must make: let Pascal Siakam loose.
The Pacers are currently facing a series deficit for the first time in the playoffs as they are down 3-2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. Pulling off this comeback was already going to be incredibly difficult, but it now borders on impossible if Haliburton is forced to miss any time. Regardless of whether he plays or not, the Pacers should not expect to get the same Haliburton that led them to this point in the first place, so they must turn to Siakam a lot more.
In each of his last three games, Siakam has recorded 20 or more points while taking no more than 15 field-goal attempts. While he may not be a flashy scorer, the Cameroon native provides a lot of value in this area for the Pacers, especially given how efficient he typically is. Throughout the postseason, the Pacers are 6-1 when Siakam takes 16 or more shots in a game, and they are a perfect 3-0 when he shoots 20 or more times.
While they have mostly been in control in the series and have done a great job of making Indiana uncomfortable, they seemingly do not have an answer for Siakam, who has been incredible so far. For the Pacers to have any shot at winning a championship this season, they must let Siakam be even more aggressive from here on out.
Pascal Siakam has been solid in the NBA Finals
Despite Indiana's rocky series up to this point, there is one specific player they have been able to count on time and time again, and that is Siakam. The New Mexico State alum was arguably the Pacers' most consistent player in the regular season, and that has carried over into the playoffs and the NBA Finals in a major way.
Through the first five games of the series, Siakam is averaging 20.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2 steals, and 1.4 blocks. All these numbers are either the best or second-best on the team in the NBA Finals. Additionally, he is shooting 47.1% from the field and 35% from the three-point line.
Siakam has been consistent in the series and has been Indiana's best player. He has contributed heavily on both sides of the ball and remains one of their most important players. When he is hot, he elevates the Pacers in a big way, and with their backs up against the wall in this series, they need all the help they can get.
While giving Siakam more shot attempts will not immediately guarantee a series win for Indiana, it is an adjustment they must take. Getting the ball in their best player's hands and giving him more opportunities to score offensively could be exactly what saves the Pacers' title dreams. Though the series is not over yet, the Pacers do not have a lot going for them at this point. If they want to turn things around, they must make some changes, and it all starts with giving Siakam more opportunities to continue doing what he has done so well in the series.