With the heart of the 2024 NBA offseason now behind us, it is a good time for Indiana Pacers fans to look forward to the beginning of the 2024-25 season as the team aims to follow up their Eastern Conference Finals appearance with another successful campaign. More specifically, Pacers fans should be excited about the start of training camp, the next key date of the year.
Training camp is always an exciting time for NBA fans. It signals the unofficial beginning of the next season. Furthermore, it is also a good time for fans to see the new players their team acquired in their uniform for the first time.
This article is meant to clue Pacers fans on key dates, specifically the first day of training camp, and what they should look out for in general.
Pacers training camp start date
Official start date for Pacers training camp
The Pacers are set to begin their training camp this season on October 1. This is exactly one week before their first preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 8. Additionally, this will give the team a few weeks to prepare for their first regular game of the season against the Detroit Pistons on October 23.
Location of training camp
The Pacers will hold their training camp at home in Indiana. However, they will not be in their usual spot, Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Instead, training camp will be held in downtown Indianapolis at the St. Vincent Center, which the Pacers have used since it was unveiled in 2017.
Key dates surrounding training camp
Media Day
Media Day will take place on September 30, one day before the start of training camp. During Media Day, Pacers players will take their official pictures of the 2024-24 season and will take part in individual player interviews.
This is a great time for the team to make their expectations for the following season clear. It is also good for new players on the team to introduce themselves to the fanbase.
Just like the start of training camp, Media Day will take place at St. Vincent Center.
Preseason game schedule
Date | Opponent | How to watch |
|---|---|---|
10/8 | @ Atlanta Hawks | Local TV |
10/10 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | Local TV |
10/14 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | Local TV |
10/17 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | Local TV |
Storylines to watch during training camp
New player integrations
For the most part, the Pacers will have much of the same roster that they had last season. However, it will be interesting to see how Benendict Mathurin fits with the team after his season-ending injury earlier this year. Additionally, Jarace Walker is another intriguing player to watch as he aims to bounce back from his disappointing rookie season to crack the team's rotation.
As for new faces, James Wiseman and Johnny Furphy are the biggest names to watch in training camp to see how they fit in with this Pacers team.
Health and conditioning updates
Outside of Mathurin, the only other player with a notable injury is Tyrese Haliburton, whose leg injury caused him to play few minutes during Team USA's run at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, it seems like he will be ready for training camp.