The Pacers are proving their legitimacy and revealing their true selves.
INDIANAPOLIS — Their Pacers superstar has a bent jump shot and vanishes too frequently, sparking ridiculous discussion on debate programs about whether he is even a superstar at all.
Tyrese Haliburton replied late Wednesday night, just after another excellent playoff showing that would silence his detractors for at least 48 hours, with “I couldn’t care less.”
T.J. McConnell has an even more unattractive jump shot. Their largest spark stands 6 feet 1 inches tall but plays as though he were 5-10. The 10-year veteran has likely spent nine more years in the league than most people ever imagined. Additionally, he perfectly represents the Indiana Pacers’ philosophy.
Haliburton refers to him as “the great White hope.”
Their O.G. has been battling a cold for days, has struggled to score during parts of Wednesday night, and is unlikely to be able to practice with the squad on Thursday. Doesn’t matter. Myles Turner said nothing about it. The longest-serving Pacers player had no chance of missing the first game of the NBA Finals that the team has hosted in 25 years.
This squad may be thrilling and frustrating at the same time; its incessant fast breaks have been known to snooze on defense a little too frequently (see: a 140-110 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs in January). They are unyielding in their approach, refusing to slow down and search for the ideal picture, and they shield their belongings at all costs. This team’s rotation won’t decrease; it has ten players no matter if it’s the championship round in June or a five-day trip in February.
Their speed, depth, and determination will eventually tire you out.
They’re going to extend your defense by sharing the ball.
“That’s one of the things that attracted me to this place,” said Pascal Siakam. “And since I got here, that’s who we’ve been.”
Regardless of the circumstances—be it a seven-point deficit to the Milwaukee Bucks with 35 seconds remaining in Round 1, a seven-point deficit to the Cleveland Cavaliers with 44 seconds left in Round 2, a 14-point deficit to the New York Knicks with 2:41 remaining in the Eastern Conference finals, or a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter of Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals—they will crush your spirit.
This is the identity of the Pacers.
Now, 12 days into June, the Pacers are two victories away from winning their first NBA title.
If their incredible comeback in Game 1 last week demonstrated the team’s late-game skill—a consistent motif throughout this fantastic playoff run—Wednesday’s 116-107 triumph in Game 3 showed what the Pacers are capable of at their peak. Dogged. Resolved. And superior when it counts the most.
After his squad took a 2-1 lead in the series, coach Rick Carlisle said, “This is how we gotta do it.” “We have to accomplish it as a team. And we have to make it as difficult as we can for them.”
In the playoffs, Carlisle’s Pacers have now won 14 straight games when scoring at least 110 points. They are 14-0 when they make 46 percent or more of their field goals. They are 14-0 when they score 40 or more field goals.
They use a formula. It functions.
Carlisle enjoys using the expression “hard things are hard” with his players. He persuaded his squad over the course of the last two seasons that they needed to play this way: at full speed and without brakes. It was sometimes challenging, demanding, and frustrating. However, it has also altered the course of a team that is on the verge of winning a championship.
“The coach continued, “Things that make sense aren’t a hard sell for our folks. It’s a complex system, and it demands a lot of commitment. However, when you perform it correctly—regardless of whether it was two years ago in a seemingly insignificant game in mid-January or Game 3 of the finals—these individuals can identify where crucial details are.
“Our guys have made the investment. It’s similar to a Greek wedding.” It takes a lot of effort.
On Wednesday night, that was the Pacers. They took the Thunder’s early blow but continued to throw punches for three straight quarters. OKC was never able to find an answer or enough to react. McConnell was too much of a menace with his five steals, five assists, and ten points. Turner (five blocks) was too tough, and Haliburton (one rebound short of a triple-double) was too excellent.
With this squad, there is always more, and there was more this time. Bennedict Mathurin, who was counting the days until he could get back on the court after spending last year’s playoff run with a labrum injury, exploded for a game-high 27 points off the bench. Aaron Nesmith’s big three late in the fourth, Andrew Nembhard’s tenacious defense, Obi Toppin’s energy off the bench (Indiana’s reserves outscored Oklahoma City’s 49-18), and Siakam’s 21 points.
The Pacers faced the challenge head-on all night. And this team has arrived at the ideal moment for a city and state that have longed for a championship run like this for years, even decades. Mathurin, the only top-10 selection by the Pacers on this squad, claimed he had never heard the Fieldhouse as noisy as it was on Wednesday.
The followers are desperate. The team continues to produce results.
“Basketball is big in Indiana, and I felt that for the first time,” Mathurin stated. “I’m not attempting to (soak) in the present, even if this is a fantasy right now.” I’m attempting to ensure that the dream has a happy ending.
Edgerrin James was present, and Reggie Miller sat courtside beside Oscar Robertson, another Indiana legend. Caitlin Clark was, too. Just like he did in the New York Knicks series, Pat McAfee stirred up the audience late in the game, complete with his signature profanity. The arena seemed as though it was going to burst at that instant.
Wednesday night wasn’t just loud; it was RCA Dome-loud. Those days are known to Hoosiers who are old enough to remember them.
A few days after urging Pacers supporters to be as energetic as Thunder supporters had been in Oklahoma City, Carlisle stated, “They were everything we hoped for,” “Especially in the fourth quarter.” They simply increased by a few decibels.
This isn’t your usual championship contender, headed by a world-class player who was selected high in the draft or brought to the area through free agency. The Pacers have been plagued by the small-market knocks for years. After ascending from being a perennial also-ran to a powerhouse, this squad was constructed the traditional way. Last season, Indiana ranked 25th in the league in payroll. It is 22nd this season.
Haliburton hears it more than anyone else on the squad. The reviewers. The questions. The nonbelievers. He’s become something of a lightning rod lately, receiving praise for his heroic performances in the late game one minute and criticism the next for having an off night. It’s part of the deal. He’s the franchise’s face, which has earned its way into the limelight.
Late Wednesday, he wrapped up the nonsense by stating, “The commentary is what it is at this point,” before reiterating to the audience what truly matters.
“It doesn’t matter,” he continued. “We’re two wins away from an NBA championship.”
