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Why it is too early to panic about the Pacers' slow start to the 2024-25 season

By Elie Deglaoui

Oct 27, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts to a call during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Oct 27, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts to a call during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
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Through the first three games of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers have looked like a shell of the team that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. They currently sit at 1-2 with one of their losses being against the Philadelphia 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid and Paul George.

Additionally, their season looks even worse when you dig in beyond the record. They are currently the worst three-point shooting team in terms of percentage, their 108.2 ORTG is eighth-worst in the league, their 109 points per game is fifth-worst, and they remain one of the worst defensive and rebounding teams in the NBA. However, it is still way too soon to panic.

We know what this Pacers team is capable of

The Pacers' slow start is a bit mind-boggling. They are running it back with practically the same team from last season, and they should be even more cohesive given that the rotation is more established than it was last year. However, they are looking like one of the worst teams in the league so far, and it is tough to pinpoint exactly why. Though, there are still reasons to believe they will turn it around.

Possibly the most obvious reason the Pacers will bounce back is that we know how high of a ceiling this team has and how good they are. Nothing changed from last season to this season that would indicate the Pacers are not still one of the best offensive teams in the league. It is a brutal start for the Pacers, but we saw this exact roster lead the league in points per game just one season ago.

Additionally, there are plenty of bright spots on this Pacers team so far. Most notable is Mathurin's presence following his return. In three games so far, the third-year wing is averaging 14.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Furthermore, though it is a small sample size, he is shooting a career-high 55.6% from the field. At this rate, Mathurin could enter the Pacers' starting lineup soon.

Furthermore, there are plenty of other contenders who are off to rough starts. The Milwaukee Bucks and 76ers are 1-2 (and let's not forget the New York Knick's brutal loss to the Boston Celtics on opening night), and out West, the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings are 0-2.

It is a rough start to the season for Pacers fans, but the campaign is young. In due time, they should revert to their old ways and show everybody why they were just four wins away from an NBA Finals appearance last season.

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