- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,152,838
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 08: Jay Huff #32 of the Indiana Pacers is introduced before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 08, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES – In each of Jay Huff’s first four NBA seasons, he entered training camp signed to a two-way contract. He’s been a journeyman, heading from team to team and from NBA club down to the G League. But that’s all changing this season for the Indiana Pacers.
That’s where Huff was traded in the offseason. The Pacers added him to a crowded center room, hoping he could be a part of the answer at the five after losing Myles Turner in free agency. His three-point shot had been effective at prior stops. Huff can block shots with the best of them.
And he entered the season on a standard contract for the first time ever. Altogether, these factors meant more chances were coming in the NBA — not in the G League or on the bench.
Across his first four pro seasons, Huff appeared in 95 total regular season games and two postseason outings. His experiences were limited despite many stops with multiple teams. He was a rare inexperienced veteran.
But the Pacers believed in him. And deep into the ongoing season, Huff is chasing a goal that would show his reliability: he has a chance to play in all 82 games for the Pacers this year.
Why is it significant that Jay Huff could play in 82 games for the Pacers?
Entering 2025-26, Huff had never appeared in more than 64 games in one season. He’s already at 68 for the Pacers, a career-best mark, and the team has played exactly that 68 number. If Huff plays the final 14 games of the season, he’ll reach 82. That’s the maximum possible for a player who isn’t traded mid-season.
“That would be a cool milestone to reach, play a full season,” Huff said. He realized that he had not missed a game yet in February. “Lord willing that nothing comes up, but I think that would be a cool milestone to hit.”
While he didn’t notice his 100% attendance rate until somewhat recently, Huff did note when he passed his minutes total from 2024-25. That happened on January 8, and playing time was a factor in Huff’s contract outlook. It’s been a steady climb for Huff, who played just four games as a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers. The following season, just seven with the Washington Wizards. But that number leapt to 20 in year three, then 64 last season. Huff has improved and found his niche in the modern NBA.
He’s also been healthy, a critical part of a pursuit of playing 82 games in one season. When Huff has been asked about the accomplishment, he’s knocked on nearby wood. No jinxes when it comes to injuries.
You must be registered for see images attach
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 9: Jay Huff of Pacers warms up before the NBA game 5 between Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on November 9, 2025 in San Francisco, California, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Anadolu via Getty Images
But, while lighthearted, it also shows his personal hopes. Battling through unpredictable two-way contract situations isn’t easy. Huff did it and has found some stability.
“It’s been great,” Huff said of his first season with the Pacers. “You know, it’s been an interesting year. I feel like I've had a lot of good games, a lot of bad games, but something to build on for sure.”
The contractual challenges ended for the Virginia product in late 2024, but Huff had a new hurdle to clear this season: conditioning. Early in the season, he had to make major adjustments to fit into the Pacers system. It’s faster. Centers have to pass and make quick decisions. And, as is becoming more common, they have to run hard, fast, and often.
Early in the year, Huff was the Pacers backup five as he worked his way into the up-tempo style. With injuries mounting early, he even got some time at power forward. It was a lot of adjusting, and it didn’t come easy.
“Well, the biggest thing was conditioning. When he got in here three weeks ago, he wasn’t ready for this,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of Huff during the preseason. “He got the message pretty quick as they were playing games and doing things informally. And he really picked it up over the last two and a half weeks and made a lot of progress.”
Now, though, that’s a problem of the past. And Huff solving it is a factor in his quest to play all 82 games. “I do feel like I’ve tried to just do more as far as recovery things. It’s helped,” Huff said of his focus on his body. “Definitely feel it a little bit, but overall I feel pretty good.”
Huff had a few early games where he only appeared in garbage time. But, crucially now, he did appear in those games. As he found his footing and earned a starting spot — before the team acquired Ivica Zubac — his playing time went up.
Now, he’s a backup again. But he’s in shape at the level required to be the Pacers center and has figured out what is needed from him every night.
“He’s worked hard. He’s improved in all areas, including conditioning to a different system and a different level of responsibility,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of Huff. “And unlike some teams that are five-out teams where the big man just runs top of the key to the top of the key, we have our guys doing a mixture of things. They go to the rim, they go to the corner. So the court is longer. So that’s an adjustment. But he's made it.”
The last Pacers player to appear in all 82 games was Obi Toppin in 2023-24, then Cory Joseph in 2018-19 before him. Huff could become the next. And to this point, he’s done it in the same way he’s done everything during his career — by adapting and improving.
He’s averaging 9.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game this season. Huff ranks second in total blocks. He hasn’t been starter level, but certainly good enough to man the middle for Pacers reserve units, especially on a multi-year minimum contract.
Down the stretch, Huff will get to play in more unique lineups and figure out his fit with different Pacers players. That hasn’t been an issue so far, but adding versatility and understanding is a must for the Pacers with their playoff hopes gone.
Huff will try to take advantage of the remaining time this season. He’ll hope to improve his chemistry with various Pacers second unit players ahead of a new role coming his way next year. And he’s one month away from 82 games played, a significant goal for a well-travelled big man.
Continue reading...
