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The Indiana Pacers season has not been a fun one. They currently sit at 6-18, #14 in the Eastern Conference. This includes the fact that they are in the midst of their first winning streak of the year.
This is a far cry from the group that was one game from winning the championship a season ago.
One thing that they do have going for them, is Jay Huff. The 7’2 big man, who has never gotten regular playing time in his career, has been having a big breakout in his first year with Indy.
Huff blocked four shots in the team’s victory over the Sacramento Kings, and currently leads the NBA in rejections per night.
When thinking about the players who block the most shots in the league, this is certainly not your first choice.
Playing for his fifth team in five seasons, perhaps Huff finally has found a home in the league. The offseason trade that Indiana made with Memphis is paying off.
Jay Huff Breaking Out
The most impressive part of Jay Huff and his breakthrough is not necessarily the stats he is putting up. It’s that he is doing it in limited action. The blocked shots leader in the NBA plays just 18.8 minutes a night.
Huff averages seven points and three rebounds. He essentially just throws down reverse dunks, and knocks down threes. While the playing time has not been high, the efficiency in the on-court minutes has.
Huff was expected to play a key role for his team when they first acquired him after Myles Turner left, that much is true. In a season where injuries have plagued most of the roster, he has been able to suit up in all 24 contests.
Indiana has had 22 players suit up for them already this season, with several of them being on hardship contracts. Four different guys have made at least one start at the center spot.
The man in the middle, the surprising NBA blocks leader, has been there every night.
In a league where apron rules dominate how teams build, Jay Huff has a golden contract. He is making just $2 million this season, and the same is true of the 2026-27 campaign. There is a team option for the 2027-28 year, where the Pacers can decide what they want to do.
There have been a number of big Huff games. This is somebody that was not expected to contribute quite like this. The fact remains that he plays 18.8 minutes a night. He has come off the bench 16 times, and started just eight.
Each time the team needs production from the center spot, there he is, right on time to answer the call.
The big questions the Pacers need to answer will be next season. When Tyrese Haliburton returns from his injury, playoff contention is going to be the expectation. Re-tooling could happen in the second half, with the February trade deadline perhaps being a reset button here.
Whether Indiana opts to acquire another center remains to be seen. Huff is cheap at the moment, and isn’t counting much against the books.
As it stands right now, it does seem that this squad has their big man. There is definitely potential for him to become the long-term starter in the middle.
Zach Weiss Zach Weiss is a sports reporter covering the NBA for Heavy. He also hosts a podcast about the Cleveland Cavaliers, “Across the Cavs,” and serves as a sports broadcaster for various institutions in the Greater NYC Area. He wrote for Knup Sports for six years. More about Zach Weiss
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