Pacers Report Cards: Grading every Pacers player's overall playoff performance
By Mueez Azfar
Isaiah Jackson
Second Round Stats: 7 Games, 12.6 MPG, 5.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1 APG, 0.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 0.4 TOV, 2.1 FPG 65.4/0/54.5 Splits on 64.9% TS
Conference Finals Stats: 4 Games, 10.5 MPG, 2.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1 BPG, 0.3 TOV, 0.8 FPG 36.4/0/50 Splits on 37.9% TS
Overall Stats: 15 Games, 10.3 MPG, 3.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 0.5 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 0.3 TOV, 1.6 FPG 53.5/0/61.1 Splits on 56% TS
The first thing you might notice is the lack of first-round stats. The reason for this is pretty simple. Indiana did not know exactly what they had in Isaiah Jackson as a playoff performer until the second round. Overall, Jackson only played 22 minutes through four games in the first round and scored eight points along with ten rebounds. Pretty meager numbers and nothing to give a second look at.
The second round, however, was when Jackson came into his own and started performing. Similar to Ben Sheppard, Jackson's numbers do not fly off the screen at all. Just under six points and three rebounds per game aren't exactly noteworthy stats, however, he came through with timely plays exactly when the team needed him.
For one, Jackson shot a blistering 65.4% from the field in the second round. During periods when Myles Turner was resting, Jackson took it upon himself to be the bruising force down low that Indiana needed at times. Specifically in the last couple of games, Jackson's stats don't stand out, at only four points and three rebounds in Game 5 and nine points and one rebound in Game 6, but it was when and how he got those points that really mattered.
Jackson was able to take contact amongst the trees and finish inside over defenders like Hartenstein and Achiuwa, as well as play some fantastic defense on the other end, averaging 1.3 blocks per game in the series.
Unfortunately, the Conference Finals weren't so kind to Jackson. His minutes dropped, as did his scoring and efficiency. While he still rebounded well in Games 2 through 4 and averaged a block per game, he just could not finish inside like how he did against New York, this time shooting around 36% from the field, an almost 30% decrease from the previous series. In the Conference Finals, Jackson was more so talked about for his so-called 'dirty' play than his production to help Indiana.
Nevertheless, Jackson's performance in the second round essentially solidified his spot as the team's backup center long-term. Jalen Smith had that spot in the palm of his hands in the first half of the season, but hasn't been the same since a midseason injury and barely played in the playoffs.
With Smith being a free agent this offseason and Jackson tied up for longer, it is very likely that we have not seen the last of Isaiah Jackson in a Pacers uniform. As long as he works on his touch around the rim and discipline, that can be a very good thing.