Good afternoon from downtown Indianapolis. It’s been a busy few weeks for the Pacers — with games nearly every other day. Even on their off days, they’ve stayed active with workouts, working to get healthy, and giving back to the community (as you’ll read below).
Thursday was a travel day to Chicago as Indiana faces its second divisional opponent this week in the Bulls. After a 9–7 start, Chicago has dropped five straight — including a 103–101 loss last Saturday in Indy. Josh Giddey has led them in scoring in four consecutive games.
I’ll cover a lot — on and off the court — in this notebook. From a pair of losses and what’s gone wrong, to Adam Silver’s visit, community work, and the newest Pacer earning a game ball.
If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to click below and upgrade to a paid subscription — for full access to new and archived stories, plus a direct line to me.
I haven’t pushed this promotion much because I know we’re all inundated with emails and ads from retailers — where unsubscribing never seems to do the trick. That won’t be the case here.
As always, thanks for your support.
There have been some positives in recent weeks for the Pacers, but their biggest issue (other than health) continues to be allowing the inevitable big run — and letting one side of the floor affect the other.
They’ve also been vulnerable to huge individual performances. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell dropped 43 points on Monday, only to be surpassed two nights later when Denver’s Jamal Murray scored 55.
That was a season-high for Murray and just three points shy of his career best. It’s a lot for any team to overcome, and his outburst allowed Nikola Jokic — the best player in basketball right now — to pick his spots and attack as needed. It’s where the Pacers really miss Tyrese Haliburton, whose presence allows Andrew Nembhard to expend more energy and focus defensively, as well as wing defender Aaron Nesmith.
“It seemed like they were scoring a lot,” Nembhard said of the Nuggets. “Easy buckets, and we were getting tough shots. We weren’t really getting good ones. So, tough stretch. Kind of put us behind the eight ball for the rest of the game.”
One of the Pacers’ ongoing struggles has been containing wings and elite centers. That held true again Wednesday as the Nuggets became the latest team to top the century mark before the fourth quarter. They led 102–79 after three quarters, which allowed Jokic to sit for more than half the period.
The game was tight until the second quarter, when Denver outscored them 39–20 — including a 26–9 run.
“The 22-3 run at the end of the second quarter was clearly our undoing,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after the 135-120 loss on Wednesday. “We went out of character during that period, did some things we weren’t supposed to be doing, just made some mistakes. So we will correct those.
“The second half was much better than the first half, and we got to build on that.”
Indiana scored 72 points after halftime and was +9 in the second half, but it trailed by 24 at the break. They opened the fourth quarter with a 13–4 run to cut it to 14 after trailing by 20 for most of the second and third quarters, but it quickly slipped away.
The Pacers fell to 4–18, still searching for answers — and healthy bodies. Given their record and inconsistent play, everything is on the table. The only constant is frequent lineup and rotation changes as the staff searches for a spark.
Pascal Siakam remains the team’s most consistent presence, and he’s had to elevate his contributions beyond what anyone expected. He scored a team-high 23 points, two games removed from his game-winner.
All three centers have contributed in moments, but the Pacers still lack a starting-caliber option. Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, and Tony Bradley combined for 16 points while being challenged by Jokic, who finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists. (And forward Aaron Gordon wasn’t available due to injury.)
It was good to see T.J. McConnell back and pestering opponents again.
He played fewer than six minutes in the first quarter Monday against the Cavaliers, then did not return. Carlisle stressed there was “no injury or anything like that,” noting that McConnell had just played in his first back-to-back since his left hamstring injury in preseason.
McConnell had soreness, and Carlisle didn’t think he looked like himself, so they shut him down. A prudent call in this season.
Two nights later, he provided 14 points and six assists off the bench against Denver, playing with his usual burst. He also wore tights on his left leg, likely to keep the hamstring warm.
Indiana started poorly Monday, digging a 37–25 hole in 12 minutes. That proved too much to overcome in a game they trailed for nearly the full 48, losing 135–119.
“We stunk to start the game, very poor,” Carlisle said on Monday. “Our spirit was off. There was a lack of connection. We had a few guys that made some plays where the effort, just simply, wasn’t good enough.”
That’s now two straight games allowing 135 points — after a strong two-week defensive stretch in which they briefly led the league.
Indiana split its four-game homestand, winning the first two and dropping the last two. There’s still plenty to clean up — and little practice time to do it.
Rachel Simon, Adam Silver, Stephen Berman, Sarah Meyer Simon & others at mid-court before the second quarter.
Adam Silver sat in his usual seats across from the scorer’s table Wednesday for Pacers–Nuggets. His visit came a night after the NBA’s annual holiday party.
Silver comes through Indy each December — a new tradition — as the franchise celebrates its season of giving, especially the contributions from the Simon family and Stephen Berman, chairman and CEO of JAKKS Pacific.
The two have teamed up for 16 years to distribute thousands of toys to children across the state through their Big Toy Giveaway, which begins next week. Silver said Berman has tripled the number of toys this winter — up to 150,000.
“Stephen has brought joy to countless Hoosier children over the years, creating memories that last a lifetime,” Simon said. “His generosity and commitment to this program year after year continues to make an extraordinary impact.”
Already, there are events scheduled in seven cities across the state: Bloomington, Indianapolis, Knightstown, Muncie, Noblesville, Plymouth, Vincennes.
Before the game, Silver met with a group of business leaders in the local community — including the governor and mayor.
Then, during a second-quarter appearance on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, Silver praised Pacers owner Herb Simon: “What the fans couldn’t possibly know is how involved Herb Simon is behind the scenes. He serves on a couple of the league’s executive committees, he’s involved in every decision we’ve made — from the founding of the WNBA now 29 seasons ago to what we’re doing in Europe, in Africa, in Asia and around the world — again, so much of it brings attention to the community here in Indianapolis. He loves the game.”
Silver also spoke about the WNBA: “To see the popularity of Caitlin (Clark), to see the Fever exploding in popularity — not just here in Indianapolis, Indiana, but globally — it’s remarkable,” he said.
This was his second visit to Indy this season. He attended the season opener on Oct. 23 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Another Pacer has returned.
Second-year guard Johnny Furphy was back Wednesday after missing a month with a left ankle sprain suffered Nov. 3 against the Bucks. He was among the first subs inserted, along with Jarace Walker.
He played 16 minutes and grabbed two rebounds. More than the injury, a player loses their game rhythm, timing, and flow after being out for as long as he was.
Because the Pacers have played six games in 10 days, practice time has been scarce. So last Saturday, Furphy was assigned to the G League Boom for a practice session to get live reps. They ran defensive drills and a scrimmage, allowing the training staff to evaluate him in action.
“He looked good,” Boom head coach Tom Hankins told me. “He should be healthy soon. He looks like he’s ready to play.”
Carlisle said Furphy brings an element they lack.
“He’s a great runner, great rebounder, terrific finisher,” Carlisle said this week. “He’s a very good defensive player, very solid. All elements of his skill set are improving. He just needs to be on the floor.
“… This will be a new beginning. I believe he can add a different element. And we need all the depth that we can get.”
The Pacers opened December with another roster move — fitting, after making 10 in November.
With another hardship exception granted, the Pacers signed Garrison Matthews to a second 10-day. His first expired Nov. 29. (A player may sign up to two 10-day contracts per team, per season.)
Now in his seventh season (321 games), Matthews didn’t offer much in his initial stint. But he’s looked like a different player — beyond his haircut — over the last two games, logging 25 and 20 minutes and averaging 12 points. After making just two of his first 13 3s, he went 3-for-3 Monday against Cleveland.
“He’s an NBA player with an NBA skill and he has gravity,” said Carlisle. “The stats will take care of themselves. But his aggression and he’s worked very hard to get himself tuned up after he was one of the last cut — he may have been the last cut — in New York. Had about a month and then joined us. And so over the last two weeks, he’s really worked to get himself in condition and get some of his rhythm back. And so this is a great opportunity for him.”
I wrote about Lloyd Pierce hosting his (now) annual coat drive on Tuesday. This one was the most successful yet, and also the coldest.
Perhaps that was fitting given how LP and the folks over at Goodwill Horizon House were accepting donations to help those who need it, especially in the winter months. It was below 20 degrees with most volunteers needing a warm coat and gloves.
By 5:30 p.m., after more than two hours, they had received more than 1,000 items — surpassing last year’s total of about 800. And while the coat drive was ongoing, individuals inside were sorting through them so they could be distributed as soon as possible.
The number of players who showed up to support was the largest in three years: Carlisle, Garrison Matthews, Jay Huff, Obi Toppin, Bennedict Mathurin, Taelon Peter, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Ethan Thompson and Quenton Jackson.
Read more:
‘This is just the starter’: Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce hosts coat drive and has plans to do more to impact the Indy communityI also wanted to pass along this note.
On Nov. 4, Jarace Walker visited the Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent off W 86th St in Indianapolis. He brought with him with cookies from Please & Thank You to show appreciation to the hardworking nurses and staff.
He spoke with many of the caregivers, signed autographs, introduced mascot Boomer — and his curiosity took him inside an imaging room. “I’m about to learn all about this,” he said with a big grin.
These quiet visits happen often, but this one stood out for the staff — and was appreciated by the staff.
“I love caring for people,” said Abby Gardner, an RN. “That’s a pretty generic answer to say as a health care provider, but I love helping people. I love helping them at their most vulnerable time and walking them through that stage of life.”
Jarace Walker with Ella Busch at the Lucas Family Brian and Spine Hospital. (Photo: PS&E)
Tyrese Haliburton returned to his hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin on Tuesday and watched the Spartans defeat Eau Claire Memorial 84-59.
Earlier this year, Haliburton donated $3 million to his alma mater. That helped with upgrades for a new scoreboard, video board, and weight room. Plus, they’re outfitted in PUMA apparel, of course.
Last season, Oshkosh North was led by Wisconsin Mr. Basketball Xzavion Mitchell, who is now playing at Iowa State University — where Haliburton also went.
Tyrese Haliburton gives back to Oshkosh with $3 million donation
The Pacers are consistent about helping players make meaningful firsts. That held true for Ethan Thompson, signed to a two-way contract over the weekend.
He had never logged an NBA minute — until Monday, Dec. 1. With 6:57 left and the Pacers trailing Cleveland 119–102, Thompson checked in for Ben Sheppard.
New this year: every debuting player wears a special 1-of-1 patch, created through a partnership with Fanatics Collectibles. After the game, the patch is removed, authenticated, signed, and inserted into a future Topps trading card product.
Thompson’s patch clearly visible on his right chest. (Photo: FDSNI)
Thompson assisted Bradley on a layup, then scored his first NBA points — a banked runner with 49.7 seconds left. Haliburton, McConnell, and others rose from the bench to cheer.
And after the game, you can be certain that he was handed the game ball to celebrate his NBA debut.
According to my records, the Pacers did not bring Thompson in for a pre-draft workout in 2021. But two years later, in 2023, he played for them at Las Vegas Summer League.
“We like him,” Carlisle said this week. “He’s been playing great this year.
“He’s a developing young player that can score, has some versatility. And so there were a lot of things to like about him.”