The Indiana Pacers annual free event Fan Jam came with a promise from head coach Rick Carlisle that it was going to be a more competitive, game-like atmosphere instead of the usual all-star game level of play.
It was easily the largest crowd they’ve had for the event as the first two levels of the fieldhouse were packed and there were even a smattering of fans in the balcony level. Carlisle and the team recognized and thanked the fans for coming out in such numbers.
The first and second teams battled it out and the blue team led by TJ McConnell and Buddy Hield beat the white team led by Tyrese Haliburton and the likely starters.
The white team started slow in the first half with Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin, and Myles Turner. The blue team finished the first half up by 8 behind hot shooting from Buddy Hield and TJ McConnell repeatedly probing inside the lane.
Haliburton came out motivated in the second half and started strong with a pair of lobs to Obi Toppin and multiple buckets of his own but the blue team held off every rally from the starters and won the scrimmage. Highlights included Obi Toppin with a tip dunk and an alley oop slam, Daniel Theis blocking Hield and Haliburton letting him know about it, and Walker had a reverse slam.
Rotation-wise, the only surprise was that Jarace Walker did not start the game for the second unit as they went with McConnell, Hield, Ben Sheppard, Aaron Nesmith, and Jalen Smith.
Alex Golden, host of Setting the Pace, kept stats for the 20-minute scrimmage. Buddy Hield led all scorers with 18 points. Haliburton had 15 and McConnell 10.
Walker was the winner of the rookie hazing / singing in ridiculous costumes contest. Ben Sheppard won a dance contest. Videos of all the festivities and media availability below:
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