Indiana Pacers can't handle Victor Wembanyama in loss to Spurs
By Ryan Stano
The Indiana Pacers were hoping to bounce back after getting blown out by the Pelicans as they took on the Spurs on Sunday night. San Antonio has one of the worst records in the league, having won just 12 games heading into this matchup. It's one of those games you expect the Pacers to win.
Yet, they couldn't do it. The Spurs beat Indiana 117-105 after pulling away in the fourth quarter. Indiana just couldn't handle Victor Wembanyama on either side of the court. He had 31 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 blocks. He protected the rim and dominated it on the other side of the floor.
Failing to do anything about Wembanyama wasn't the biggest reason why the Pacers failed to win the game, Poor outside shooting is what did them in. They made just 6/30 from three-point range, shooting a paltry 20%. For a team that relies on the three so much, that's not going to win many games.
Tyrese Haliburton struggled again for the Indiana Pacers
In what has become a troubling trend, Tyrese Haliburton struggled again. He had just 12 points on a dismal 4/16 shooting. He added 8 assists and 6 rebounds too. The most troubling thing about his stat line is what he did from three. He missed all six of his attempts from long range.
If Haliburton isn't hitting from deep, then he needs to attack the rim. Having Wembanyama sitting in the middle makes that almost impossible. Haliburton wasn't even the most effective point guard for the Pacers on Sunday night. That title belonged to T.J. McConnell.
McConnell had 26 points on 13/15 shooting to go along with 5 assists. He was the one who kept the Pacers in it until the middle of the fourth quarter when San Antonio started to pull away. He just didn't get any help from the team's most important player.
Until Haliburton gets out of whatever funk he is in, this team is going to keep losing games. Pascal Siakam is a superb number-two option, but he can't carry a team like Haliburton can. He also can't involve his teammates with passing as well as Tyrese does.
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The Pacers continue their road trip on Tuesday as they head to Dallas to take on the Mavs.