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The Indiana Pacers suffered through a brutal 2025-26 NBA season. Unfortunately, that was the expectation heading into the season due to star point guard Tyrese Haliburton missing the whole year due to the torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Without Haliburton, the Pacers seemed to lose their identity. Despite the lost season, the team is hoping to get back to being a championship contender this year.
Haliburton is back to full health. He is expected to be ready to play in the season opener. Indiana has also added some new talent around him.
In the first game of the season, it will be the first time that Haliburton and new center Ivica Zubac play together in a regular season game. The Pacers were also able to make a free agency splash with the signing of veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr.
That being said, Indiana has a few believes who think the team will be a contender. One of those supports is none other than Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green.
Green recently had Pacers' head coach Rick Carlisle on his podcast. At the end of the podcast, the Warriors' star spoke out and dropped a bold quote about Indiana.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you guys back at full strength," Green said. "I know you feel the same way, but I really believe you guys had it (Game 7 of the NBA Finals), and I have zero doubt that y'all are capable of getting back there."
Having a respected player like Green, who has won multiple championships, makes a statement like that, it's time to take notice. Many will continue sleeping on the Pacers, but they don't mind playing the underdog role at all.
With the talented roster Kevin Pritchard has put together, the sky is truly the limit for Indiana. There is zero doubt that the team will be hungry to get back on track after such a rough season last year.
To this point, most of the national media has left the Pacers out of the conversation for best team in the Eastern Conference. Haliburton and company will look to turn that conversation around early on during the 2026-27 campaign.
All of that being said, the season can't get here soon enough. Fans in Indiana have had enough losing following last year. It's time to see the Pacers get back to being a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.
Continue reading...
Without Haliburton, the Pacers seemed to lose their identity. Despite the lost season, the team is hoping to get back to being a championship contender this year.
Haliburton is back to full health. He is expected to be ready to play in the season opener. Indiana has also added some new talent around him.
In the first game of the season, it will be the first time that Haliburton and new center Ivica Zubac play together in a regular season game. The Pacers were also able to make a free agency splash with the signing of veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr.
That being said, Indiana has a few believes who think the team will be a contender. One of those supports is none other than Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green.
Green recently had Pacers' head coach Rick Carlisle on his podcast. At the end of the podcast, the Warriors' star spoke out and dropped a bold quote about Indiana.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you guys back at full strength," Green said. "I know you feel the same way, but I really believe you guys had it (Game 7 of the NBA Finals), and I have zero doubt that y'all are capable of getting back there."
Having a respected player like Green, who has won multiple championships, makes a statement like that, it's time to take notice. Many will continue sleeping on the Pacers, but they don't mind playing the underdog role at all.
With the talented roster Kevin Pritchard has put together, the sky is truly the limit for Indiana. There is zero doubt that the team will be hungry to get back on track after such a rough season last year.
To this point, most of the national media has left the Pacers out of the conversation for best team in the Eastern Conference. Haliburton and company will look to turn that conversation around early on during the 2026-27 campaign.
All of that being said, the season can't get here soon enough. Fans in Indiana have had enough losing following last year. It's time to see the Pacers get back to being a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.
Continue reading...
