The championship chase continues for the Indiana Pacers after eliminating one of the NBA’s best.
In mesmerizing style, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 114-105 Game 5 victory.
The Cavaliers put up a commendable fight to keep their 64-win season and title hopes alive, but Rick Carlisle and his elite Pacers team had other plans as they marched their way to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year.
Donovan Mitchell put up 35 points for the Cavs but it was not enough. The Pacers showed no mercy and immediately wrapped up the series in five games, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 31.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesPascal Siakam shares 2019 Toronto Raptors title lessons
Last year saw an unfortunate end for the Indiana Pacers as the eventual champion Boston Celtics demolished them with a four-game sweep. But this time around, they are far more confident.
One player who is determined to lead and motivate is Pascal Siakam, who has been in this position before.
Out of the priceless 2019 title run he had with the Toronto Raptors and the struggles he endured afterwards, Siakam desires for the Pacers to enjoy the moment and seize their chance.
“You can’t take it for granted,” Siakam said in postgame following a brilliant 21 points to help the Pacers in Game 5.
“Like, I’ve always told this story: In 2019, we got there [in the NBA championship], and I was in my third year in the league. I just felt like, automatically, I’m going to be right back, like we’re going to do this again.
“Obviously, we had that [2019-20] year after where we did well and went to the [Eastern Conference Semis] or something like that. But after that, it was rough. So you can never take it for granted.”
Reflecting on this year’s challenge, he added: “We had a great opportunity last year. Where we were at, and when we got into the summer, we talked about getting better.”
Siakam is eager to enjoy the moment with his Pacers squad
Failing to embrace the moment has been the ultimate regret of Siakam during his Raptors days.
After winning the franchise’s first championship over the Golden State Warriors, before Kawhi Leonard ultimately left after leading them, Siakam and Toronto failed to replicate their success for the ensuing years.
Over the next four years, the Raptors underachieved and only made two postseason appearances. In 2023-24, they finally parted ways with Siakam by sending him to the Pacers.
Now with Indiana, Siakam is motivated not to let the past repeat itself as a Pacer.
“This is the opportunity now to get better, to show that we took a step,” Siakam said. “That’s the mentality we have going into the next games.
“We have a real opportunity, and we can’t take it for granted. I can’t stress it enough.”