The Indiana Pacers don't have high expectations this season, but they still have one thing going for them that could help their outlook--they have numerous players looking to prove their worth this season: Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, and plenty of others.
Indiana has a ton of players looking to make a statement this year, whether it be via a new role or just taking on a bigger responsibility and making the most of it. This type of hunger can help the Pacers (who already rely on chemistry and perseverance to succeed) have a successful season and potentially make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers have numerous players who are hungry for more
Perhaps the most obvious Pacer to keep an eye on is Mathurin.
The Pacers opted not to give the Canadian native a rookie-scale contract extension in the offseason. Because of this, Mathurin must now showcase his value as Indiana's new starting shooting guard and prove that the team needs to keep him around for the long haul, even if it means moving into the luxury tax.
Additionally, Nembhard has been a crucial part of the Pacers' recent success because of his defensive value and ability to be an excellent complement to Tyrese Haliburton as a secondary ball-handler. However, he is going to be tasked with some bigger responsibilities following Haliburton's Achilles injury.
Until the Wisconsin native returns, Nembhard will look to make an impact as the Pacers' full-time point guard and prove that he has what it takes to run the show.
Another name to keep an eye on is Siakam. Ever since the Pacers acquired him from the Toronto Raptors in 2024, he has become a valuable part of their team. He won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award and was named an All-Star in his first full season with the team.
However, without Haliburton or Myles Turner, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason, the 31-year-old will look to take on an expanded role. The offense is expected to run through him a lot more as Indiana looks to find new ways to generate points. With this increased usage and greater opportunity, Siakam will look to remind the basketball world exactly how dominant he can be.
It will also be important to monitor guys like Jarace Walker, Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, and Johnny Furphy. All four of these players are expected to be a big part of the Pacers' rotation, and they are all looking to solidify themselves as legitimate contributors as the team looks to re-enter the title picture.
How far can the Pacers go this season?
The Pacers have shocked the world twice in the last two years.
Nobody expected them to make it to the conference finals in 2024, but they did. Even after accomplishing that feat, nobody thought they would have similar success in 2025. However, they ultimately made it all the way to Game 7 of the NBA Finals and nearly took down the best team in the league on their home court.
Indiana has what it takes to exceed expectations again this season. But, for real this time, a deep playoff run is highly unlikely.
The Pacers are at an advantage, being in a conference that is considered a wide-open one. There is no clear favorite, and even without Haliburton and Turner, they have an incredibly talented roster that could make their presence felt.
However, realistically, the absolute best-case scenario for them this season would be a playoff appearance, and maybe even a first-round series win.
Still, the Pacers' future is incredibly bright, and things should only get better from here on out. This season especially should be a valuable one for Indiana as it looks to experiment a bit with its roster and maybe learn a thing or two along the way.