Everybody is counting the Indiana Pacers out, but that's exactly when they do their most damage. With their backs up against the wall ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, the Pacers are about to send a crucial reminder to the rest of the league that they can never be counted out.
Despite being one win away from winning it all last season, many are expecting Indiana to take a big step back this season, and that's not necessarily unfair.
The Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton for the season due to an Achilles injury, and they will have to navigate through life without Myles Turner after he joined the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent. Plus, with all their roster shuffling (giving out new roles to players like Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, and Jarace Walker, among others), they will likely go through their fair share of ups and downs.
However, there is still a lot to like about Indiana's outlook, and it would not be a surprise at all if it made some noise this season.
The Pacers have what it takes to shock the basketball world again
A third consecutive finals appearance is highly unlikely for Indiana, and another NBA Finals run is essentially a pipe dream. However, the Pacers can still be a real player in a wide-open Eastern Conference this season.
Despite their big losses, the Pacers should still be a fantastic team on offense this season. Their run-and-gun offense makes them special, and according to head coach Rick Carlisle, their strategy will not change much without Haliburton and Turner.
Additionally, Carlisle was recently voted the best offensive mind in the NBA by rival GMs, and that's not a coincidence. He knows exactly how to get the most out of his players and play to their strengths. This is why the Pacers have been so successful in recent years, even though they have only had two total All-Stars in the last two seasons.
Furthermore, the Pacers still have a talented roster that consists of players who have a lot to prove.
As the team's primary point guard this season, Nembhard will look to prove that he can be trusted to run the show and facilitate a great offense. Additionally, Mathurin, who will be Indiana's starting shooting guard, will look to prove that his unique skillset as an iso scorer makes him a valuable asset to the team.
Plus, Pascal Siakam has been great since getting traded to the Pacers in 2024. During his run with the team so far, he is averaging 20.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 53% from the field and 38.8% from deep. However, without Haliburton or Turner, he should expect to have the ball in his hands a lot more and become the best version of himself under Carlisle.
The Pacers are not likely to be legitimate title contenders this season, but that doesn't mean they're a team to ignore. They have a lot going their way, and as they've proven before, they have what it takes to exceed expectations. Even if it may seem impossible.