Indiana Pacers Postgame Media Availability | December 8, 2025

Indiana Pacers Postgame Media Availability | December 8, 2025

He’s, you know, he and Pascal are are our two leaders and um he led us in the fourth quarter in a big way. Um, you know, he wanted the ball. Uh, their switching was bogging us down, causing problems. He just simply willed his way, you know, to some baskets, hit a huge three. The two threes, him and Matin back to back were enormous plays in the fourth. And um look, he’s he’s taken a tough matchup every night. You know, it was Giddy in Chicago. Tonight it was Lavine. It’s uh it’s a pretty thankless job. I don’t think I’ve ever said that that’s that phrase. That’s not one of my phrases, but Yeah, I mean, yeah, I mean, look, those three guys were great. You know, Matan’s playing really well and uh defensively against Chicago, he was real solid and hit huge shots the whole game. U Pascal is a guy we take for granted because you know, he just he just goes out there and he and he produces great numbers virtually every night. he either takes a a tough defensive matchup or he’s in a really important help guy and he gets points and rebounds and assists and you know a lot of people dismiss it because that’s just what he does you know and then uh you know and Nimhard tonight was uh you know really special so um those three guys are are three leaders really. I mean, this is, you know, uh, and I’ve I’ve talked to the three of them together, you know, a few times in the last week or 10 days. I mean, Ben’s in Ben’s in that in that group now, you know, along with N Smith and um, and McConnell. Those guys are our veteran leaders. So, um, listen, this tough game, it’s great to win it. Um, we got some time to practice this week, so we’ll uh we’ll make the best of that and then, you know, more tough games coming. terrific tonight. I don’t think his stats were super gay, but you know, 12 points, every we needed every single one of those points. He had a huge steal in transition. You I don’t know how he pulls some of that stuff off. He’s just has amazing hands. Um and look, nights like nights like Chicago is, you know, it’s feedback for young players, you know. Um and his response in practice yesterday was was terrific. and uh I just I just liked his demeanor and um his affect and his tone during the game, you know, and so um we need him. You guys gave away the lead, I think, with about six minutes to go, but then, you know, were much better than them for those final six minutes. What did you see Flipper kind of change for that stretch for you guys to close this one? Um I think that we were just better, you know, like on both sides of the ball. I think that um we’ve we we’ve taken u responsibility into uh you know bigger things and I feel like we’ve done a great job closing the game. This is the first time in your career you’ve made 10 threes across two games. First time in the first not the first time. It is. Is it? You’ve gotten nine like four or five times. Okay. Makes sense. What role has improving your jumper played and your scoring this season to you? Uh well I think that just just shooting more. I think that um you know I’ve been able to shoot the ball more and I mean it’s going in. You know what I’m saying? There’s going to be days where the ball is not going in and I feel like uh recently it has. So pretty much just seeing how it feels. So when it when it’s not here anymore, I know I know what to get back to. Drew had 12 assists today. He’s had quite a few across the last five games for you guys. How have you seen him grow with this group? You know, because he’s had a new role at point guard this year with his passing and kind of organizing for you guys. Uh he’s been he’s been better, man. Yeah, I think that um you know he’s had a lot of pressure on his back, you know, just filling the the point guard spot. Um and I feel like he’s been doing a pretty good job so far. Um so I think we’re pretty much looking forward for um the rest, you know, the rest uh the rest of the year and the rest of the season to to keep being the same thing. Just on that note, what do you think what do you think you and uh Drew did particularly well in their guards in, you know, in that last ratch, you know, how do you feel like what did you guys do to kind of lock them up? Um yeah, we’re pretty much just playing hard, man. You know, they’re they’re both great players and I feel like me and Drew um we have the the ability to to pretty much contain uh the back the back court on the other side. And I feel like we we’ve we’re doing a pretty good job. It’s still room for improvement. And um I think it’s like I said, it’s it’s a lot of room for us to grow and we’re looking forward to grow as a to to to grow as a duo. How how do you think you guys I guess as a trio you, Drew and Pascal are starting to function together? I mean that that’s obviously when the game changes is when you guys check in more or less. That’s kind of the dividing line. How do you feel like you guys have learned to operate together, set each other up for shots, know when kind of it’s each person’s time to go get a shot? Like what’s how is that chemistry coming along? you know, I just feel like um we we know each other um you know, pretty well the more we play together and that um everybody can really get a bucket, you know, between you know, me, Drew, and Pascal. So, just knowing um you know, exactly how we want to get a bucket. you know, late game we we tend to go more, you know, with P obviously because he’s he’s he’s been doing that, you know, and um you know, so it’s pretty much just about knowing and being there for each other. Well, Rick has started to mention you as a as as a leader. He started to put you in the same category as Drew and Pascal and Aaron and guys like that. Um do you see that in yourself and how do you feel like you’re growing in that regard? What do you what are you doing more now in that regard that maybe you have? Um, I don’t know how to take that, but I think I’ve always been a leader, you know. Um, I think that me being in a bigger role this year, I’ve been able to show it a little bit more. Um, I think my comp my competitiveness is is always something that’s going to be unmatched. I think I think so. Um, well, I know. So, I mean, um, so I think me bringing that on the good side of, uh, of things can be very very, um, like it could be a big big of an advantage for the team. Um, you know, for for us to be to be as a team. So, I just feel like, you know, it’s one of my greatest gifts. Drew, where did you feel the defensive shift for you guys in those final six minutes that they couldn’t score and you guys put the game away? Um, I think we just came together a little bit more. Um, executed coverage is a little bit better, played a little bit harder, just got the job done. 12 assists for you today. The the passing the last five games, I think you’re averaging about eight assists in that spin. When it comes to the offense and this group, I know that starting lineup changed again today, but where do you feel yourself, you know, working better with that group or this team in that way, especially setting up your teammates? Yeah, I think we’re just we talk about being more organized in that side of the floor and understanding when to pick our spots in transition and when to find a better shot for the team and move the ball and I think we’ve just done a better job with that. What did those plays from Ethan on the glass, loose balls mean for you guys? Huge. He’s been he’s been playing really well in the last two games just making an impact in a winning way and whatever that means if it’s catch and shooting, playing hard on defense, loose balls, rebounds. So, um he’s been good. So obviously a big part of what changes things in the fourth is when you Pascal and and Ben check in together. How have you guys come to, you know, create a amount of chemistry among yourselves? I mean, what’s how have you guys grown in ter terms of understanding each other, uh, especially over the last couple weeks since you’ve, you know, you and Ben have both been back? Um, I think me and P have had a good sync like been in sync on that side of the floor for the last couple years. I mean, um, just understanding where he wants to get the ball and just both of us being aggressive and, um, finding the right play. Um, yeah, I think I think we we’ve grown that over time, just experience playing together. What’s it take to work Ben into that? I guess when you’ve already got a good chemistry between the two of you, like in the way Ben’s game works, like how do you Yeah, I think Ben’s best when it when it comes to him and lets it let it come to him. I think um he can score the ball in in a variety of different ways and he’ll find his spots. What’s is that a big part of the reason why he shot the ball better from three in particular? You seen obviously a lot of growth from him over there. Is he I guess doing a good job of you know just taking those shots when they come to him. I guess how is he what’s improving there for him? Yeah, I mean he’s getting older. He’s experiencing it more and um probably game slowing down. What uh what do you feel like you you and he in particular did well on on Lavine and and Westbrook down the stretch? And I guess did you pick up seemed like you ended up on Westbrook a few more times. Was that by design or something that just sort of happened in switches? Yeah, he was playing well. Um and I knew I could have possibly been matched up with a couple guys tonight. Um he had it rolling and just wanted to be physical and get through those ball screens, make it tough on them. What we’ve talked about this a little bit before, but what has the defensive assignment and how how has it been just different from you in general? I mean, last year you were, you know, picking up the ball for full court most of the time, almost always taking the top defensive assignment and you’re still taking on tough ones. Like, what’s what’s changed for you as far as, you know, like who you pick up, how you defend, you know, how you have to kind of conserve energy when you’re, you know, running the point. Like, what’s just the the defensive challenge? How has that been different for you? Um, the only thing I think that’s been different is the offensive load on top of it. um in terms of having to make more plays on that side of the floor. Um, think I’ve done a better job the last couple games just taking those matchups um, personal and trying to win out those those types of possessions.

Rick Carlisle, Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard spoke with the media following a 116-105 win against the Kings on Monday night.

0:00 – Rick Carlisle
3:36 – Bennedict Mathurin
7:31 – Andrew Nembhard