With the Indiana Pacers' season off to an exciting start, these playoff hopefuls have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday. Head coach Rick Carlisle has his team looking sharp (at least offensively).
While Indiana’s most recent game, a tough 132-131 loss to the Toronto Raptors, didn’t end the way they may have wanted, it’s still been a very fun year for the Pacers so far.
They have won five of their last eight games and currently sit at 8-6 on the season, which places them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Last year, the Pacers jumped out to a hot start, but an injury to Tyrese Haliburton derailed their plans. This season, they have high hopes of a potential postseason birth.
While the Pacers pass around the turkey, stuffing, and gravy on Thanksgiving Day, they’ll have a matchup against the 2-13 Detroit Pistons staring them in the face on Friday. (Another thing they should be thankful for, and a great opportunity to bounce back from the loss to the Raptors.)
As noted, the Pacers’ offense has also been stellar this season, and while their defense could use a little Christmas magic, that’s a topic for another holiday.
Instead of staring at the bad, let’s choose to look at the good. A peek at everything the Pacers and their fans have to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.
With a number of things rolling in Indiana's favor, here is a list of the top four things the Pacers and their fans should be grateful for.
1. Tyrese Haliburton playing at an All-Star level
Indiana's starting point guard is living up to the hype and expectations the coaching staff placed on him entering the season. Haliburton is averaging 23.5 points and 11.6 assists a game.
His shooting is efficient, too, with a field goal percentage of 50.8% and a three-point percentage of 43.2%. Haliburton is a lightning rod for this Pacers offense, as they are averaging a league-high 128.1 points per game.
In back to back games at Philadelphia, Haliburton posted record-breaking numbers. In the two contests, he had a combined 32 assists and zero turnovers. Zero!
His ability to handle the ball, score at will, and incorporate his teammates has been an asset for the Pacers. Haliburton's defense has been stellar as well, as he already has eight blocks and eleven steals in his first eleven games played this season.
2. The Pacers have a winning record
That's right! Indiana is above .500 entering Thanksgiving and are on pace to make the playoffs had the season ended today.
They have missed the postseason the past four years. Getting off to a strong start is important for Rick Carlisle's squad given their aspirations for the 2023-24 campaign.
Despite having one of the league's worst offenses, they are outscoring opponents. In addition to Haliburton, the Pacers have seven other players averaging double-digits in scoring this season.
Furthermore, Indiana has three more players averaging 7.5 points per game or better. Essentially this roster is deep and built for winning.
3. The 'Injury Bug' has not hit Indiana, yet!
Six Pacers have played in all of the team's first thirteen games: Buddy Hield, Myles Turner, Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and Bennedict Mathurin.
Point guards Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard have each only missed one contest. Center Jalen Smith has only missed two of the team's first twelve games.
Rick Carlisle has not had to adjust much in his starting lineup or rotation due to injuries. Though it is early in the season, Indiana has avoided major injuries and setbacks in maintaining a healthy roster.
4. Pacers clinch spot in Quarterfinals of first In-Season Tournament
In the inaugural season for the In-Season Tournament, the Pacers are now 3-0. They have wins against Cleveland, Philadelphia, and now Atlanta.
They have one game remaining in this format against Detroit as they are 0-3 thus far in the tournament. This is a huge step in the right direction for the franchise.
Role players like George Hill and Serge Ibaka have been to the postseason before. This tournament gives a great opportunity for a young roster and maturing core to develop the playoff-like experience that it lacks.