A mere 15 months ago, the Indiana Pacers had the OKC Thunder right where they wanted them in the 2025 NBA Finals. Fast forward to now, and that feels like a lifetime away after a 2026 season that went sideways in every possible way. But forget all that noise because Tyrese Haliburton is back from his Achilles tear, and the whispers around the league are that he’s going to be looking more and more like his old self as this year gets going.
From Lottery Heartbreak to Roster Steal
Talk about a gut punch. Everything that could go wrong last season seemed to hit the Pacers, and even their offseason luck was brutal. They lost a statistical coin flip in the NBA Draft Lottery and had to forfeit their fifth overall pick straight to the LA Clippers. Can you believe it? That’s a tough break, especially when you’re trying to bounce back. But even with that draft loss, the move to bring in Ivica Zubac via trade should absolutely net out as a huge win for this squad. You swap a lost draft pick for a proven big man who can contribute right away? That’s smart business. Losing zero key players from last year is also massive; this team kept its core together through all that adversity, and that continuity is going to pay off.
Deep Squad, Elite Coaching, and Finals Fire
The potential for this Pacers team, especially now that they’re healthy, is seriously high. Tyrese Haliburton is the catalyst, no doubt, but the depth on this roster is solid. A lot of guys got extended minutes last season because of all the injuries, and that “burn” should translate into real growth this year. Rick Carlisle leading the coaching staff is also a massive plus; his group remains one of the best in the league, plain and simple. We’re talking about a starting five that should be one of the top ten in the entire NBA. That Haliburton and Zubac two-man game? Get ready for it to become a real weapon as they build that chemistry this season. And let’s not forget guys like Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam, and Obi Toppin, all returning from that 2025 Finals team. The backcourt depth is also stacked, with TJ McConnell being one of the best backup guards in the league. Ben Sheppard and Aaron Nesmith showed what they can do last year, and Jay Huff’s addition could really pay dividends. Plus, Jarace Walker has another year under his belt and can build on his growth.
This team didn’t get a real shot to defend their crown last year, and the rival Knicks ended up taking home the title in their absence. You know that’s burning in their minds. Redemption is going to fuel them all season, and that drive alone is huge. That’s why the prediction is over 43.5 wins, with the smart money on it. This season isn’t just about winning games, it’s about getting back what they believe is theirs.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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