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The Pacers' 5 biggest head-to-head losing streaks heading into 2024-25

By Elie Deglaoui

Jan 23, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Jan 23, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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The Indiana Pacers have generally had a lot of recent success against their opponents around the NBA. This is especially true after their 47-35 record last season, which was their best since the 2018-19 season. However, the Pacers have dealt with numerous teams who they simply cannot beat over the last few seasons.

As we approach ever so close to training camp and the beginning of the 2024-25 season, it is a good time to see exactly which teams have given the Pacers their biggest challenges and when the team will have their next chance to exact revenge.

8-game losing streak: vs. the Denver Nuggets

Next time the Pacers can break the streak: 2/24 vs. DEN

The Nuggets have been one of the NBA's best teams this decade, winning a championship in 2023, so it is no surprise they have proved to be a difficult team for the Pacers to beat.

Indiana has not defeated the Nuggets since January 19, 2020. From Denver's side, Nikola Jokic unsurprisngly led the game in scoring with 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting. As for the Pacers, they were led by Doug McDermott's 24 points off the bench. However, Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, and T.J. Warren were all right behind with 22 points a piece.

6-game losing streak: vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves

Next time the Pacers can break the streak: 3/17 @ MIN

Minnesota heads into the 2024-25 season as one of the favorites to make the NBA Finals after their Western Conference Finals appearance last season. They will certainly be one of Indiana's toughest opponents the two times they face them next season.

The last time the Pacers defeated the Timberwolves was on April 7, 2021. In the win, the Pacers were led by Aaron Holiday's 22 points off the bench. And funny enough, the next highest-scorer for the team was his brother Justin Holiday, who scored 21 points. Interestingly, the Pacers were without Sabonis, Brogdon, Warren, and Myles Turner despite the win.

On the flip side, the Timberwolves' leading scorer was Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 32 points. The big man also led the game with 12 rebounds.

2-game losing streak: vs. the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers

Next time the Pacers can break the streak: 12/6 @ CHI, 1/12 @ CLE, 11/27 vs. POR

Outside of the Nuggets and Timberwolves, these three teams are the only ones in the NBA who currently have a multi-game winning streak against the Pacers.

The Pacers are a combined 0-5 against the Bulls, Cavaliers, and Trail Blazers in 2024. However, it is fair to say they are in a better situation than all three teams at this point.

Cleveland will be Indiana's toughest challenge of the three teams, but they should be able to break each streak at some point during the season.

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