The Indiana Pacers could not overcome a putrid shooting performance in the NBA In-Season Tournament championship game as they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers by a final score of 123-109.
The Pacers made just 36.8% of their shots overall (35 of 95) and 24.4% of their 3-pointers (10 for 41). Despite that, they were only down three points halfway through the fourth quarter after a rare 3-point make but the Lakers went on a 13-0 run over the next three minutes to clinch the NBA Cup.
None of the Pacers veterans in the starting lineup showed up in this game as they all struggled greatly on both ends. After a strong tournament, Myles Turner had one of his worst games in his career as he went 3 for 11 from the floor with 10 points and 7 rebounds while Anthony Davis dominated his way to 41 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. Buddy Hield scored just 8 points on 3 of 11 shooting. Bruce Brown, fresh off an NBA Championship with Denver, went 2 for 9 with 4 points.
With Tyrese Haliburton facing constant double teams with lots of length all over the court from the Lakers collection of wings, the Pacers had to have their supporting cast play well to make those coverages pay and have a chance to win. But instead of rising to the moment, the guys they needed the most shrunk in the spotlight. Those three players going 8 for 31 (25.8%) from the floor and looking unsure of themselves so often speaks to the team’s need for a true second star that can punish teams in these moments.
They have the depth like third-string center Isaiah Jackson playing one of his best games as a pro, they have the role players like Aaron Nesmith, who stood out in every tournament game with his tenacity on defense. They need someone to make life easier for Haliburton like he does for all of his teammates if they want to get to the point where they are winning rounds in the playoffs eventually. Just look at LeBron James, the IST MVP, with his final box score of 24 points on 10 of 21 shooting with 6 turnovers to just 4 assists. The Pacers did a solid job on him all night but it didn’t matter because his costar treated the Indiana defense like a mere inconvenience to get through on his path to the basket or for a rebound and stymied many of the occasional shots taken in the vicinity of the rim.
This sending two to the ball, blitzing style of coverage is the exact type of thing that Haliburton can expect to see in the playoffs. Opponents will rush at the chance to make these other players beat them instead of Haliburton, who still put up 20 points (8 for 14) and 11 assists in what has become a subpar game for him.
The good news is that the Pacers know they are missing that secondary star and are willing to pay the price to go out and get it. Adrian Wojnarowski reported the team is looking for a “big, athletic, 2-way wing” and that Kevin Pritchard has offered large trade packages for Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby in the last year even with them being free agents in the near future because the Pacers know they have their “pied piper” that guys will want to play with.
These packages for those Toronto Raptors wings were likely offered at last year’s deadline or over the summer with that “in the last year” being the key portion of the Woj reporting. While it’s unlikely they would want to give up the same package—whatever that may have been—now with those players set to be free agents in the summer, Pritchard has plenty of reasons to be confident that at least Anunoby wants to be here. This image feels like the origin story of Haliburton as a recruiter and true partner with the front office.
“Trust your eyes. Trust what’s in front of you,” Haliburton said of how the Pacers reaching this Las Vegas stage can help them recruit players. “I think people see how we play and how fun it looks and I think I’m a player that people want to play with … if guys want to come play with Indy, I’m gonna be here. You know what I mean? I’m waiting whenever guys want to come.”
Despite the loss, this week showed how much hope there is for the future of this team with Haliburton as the superstar leading the way. With a flawed roster, the Pacers beat the top two teams in their conference (Celtics and Bucks) in the Knockout Rounds and beat the 76ers, Cavaliers, and Hawks during Group Play. Five playoff teams from last season including each of the top-4 seeds. It was truly an incredible run.
The Pacers may have holes to fill to reach their ultimate goals and they’ve never been a destination for stars, but their point guard believes he can change that and the front office is prepared to make it happen. And that’s everything. It may not be during this season. It may even take a year or two but the Pacers will find a way to get someone via trade or free agency. It’s a matter of when, not if.
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