After an impressive run, going undefeated in group play, and knocking down two East powerhouses on their way to the finals, the Indiana Pacers In-Season Tournament run has unfortunately ended.
For a team that nobody expected to make this far, the Pacers certainly put the NBA world on notice. They opened some eyes with their performance in the tournament, especially Tyrese Haliburton, who had a coming-out party in the six tournament wins.
Unfortunately for Haliburton and company, a combination of poor shooting, the stifling Lakers defense, and the brilliant play of Anthony Davis stopped Indiana before they could claim the top prize. As a result, the inaugural In-Season Tournament championship belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite not coming out on top, the In-Season Tournament ended up being nothing but a positive experience for the Indiana Pacers. For a lot of young players, this was their first big taste of high-level competition.
In addition to this, there were plenty other things to take away from Indiana's In-Season Tournament run. From the added media attention to the rise of Tyrese Haliburton to a little sneak preview of what defensive schemes the Pacers may attract in the playoffs, the In-Season Tournament was a great learning experience for this young Pacers team looking to make a splash in the league.
Let's look at four significant takeaways from Indiana's run and what they can learn from these seven games.