The series isn't over yet, and it's too early for Indiana Pacers fans to celebrate, but the team is now just two wins away from making it to the NBA Finals after defeating the New York Knicks to take a 2-0 series lead. It may have seemed like a pipe dream before, but the Pacers are proving they are real title threats, and they would have a legitimate chance to win it all if they move past New York. However, the Pacers are a bit different compared to the standard championship teams, and that is because anybody on the team can lead the way any given night. That is exactly what makes them special, and even Pascal Siakam seems to agree with that sentiment.
Siakam led the way on Friday night and stepped up in a major way. In the victory, the Cameroon native scored a game-high 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting. Additionally, he recorded five rebounds, three assists, and a steal. This was a big bounce-back for Siakam after his subpar Game 1 showing, and it was more proof that the Pacers are successful because of their brand of team basketball. Siakam spoke about that a bit in his post-game interview after Game 2, and it may be the key to the Pacers bringing an NBA Championship home this year.
"We're a team. It doesn't matter who scores. That's what I love so much about this team. We don't care about who scores, we just want to win the game," Siakam said after the Pacers' Game 2 victory. "Another night, it's going to be somebody else. That's what makes us special."
The story of the Pacers this season is that they do not have a "superstar," but they have plenty of talented players who lean into their roles. Because of their depth, everybody on the team is capable of having a star performance, and that has translated to the postseason up to this point.
The Pacers have had multiple heroes against the Knicks so far
Game 2 was all about Siakam and what he did on the court. However, Game 1 was a bit of a different story. Instead, that game was all about Aaron Nesmith and Tyrese Haliburton, who were both essential to Indiana's late-game comeback victory. This is a good thing for the Pacers as they continue to inch closer to the NBA Finals.
Haliburton is technically "the star" of the Pacers, but they can be successful even when he is having an off night. As fans have seen so far, Nesmith and Siakam can step up as well. Additionally, Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard can get hot as well. Defenses can't take one player out of Indiana's offense and expect them to slow down. That has been the case all season long, and it continues to be the case against the Knicks, which bodes incredibly well for Indiana.
The series will head to Indiana for Game 3 on Sunday. Pacers fans will have to wait a bit to see who the team's next hero may be, but if the first two games of the series are any indication, anybody and everybody on the roster is a candidate.