Pacers hoping for a second straight “upside down” calendar year
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — The calendar year of 2025 was a wild ride for the Indiana Pacers, to say the least. In the first six months, fans were treated to the best basketball in their (NBA) franchise history. The second half of the year brought a lot of pain, in more ways than one. The injuries and losses have piled up, and the Pacers are approaching their longest losing streak in franchise history (12). It was an “upside down” kind of year, but now the calendar has flipped to 2026. The Pacers and their fans are hoping for another upside down calendar year over these next 12 months.
After an eleventh straight loss on Friday night, the Pacers fell to 6-29 on the season. They’ve used 19 different starting lineups and 24 different players in just the first 35 games- not the typical formula for an Eastern Conference Champion. There are 47 games still to play, so it’s still possible this team will find their stride at some point, especially with the hope of getting healthier. Competing for a playoff spot, however, will be a very tall task. This team is 10 games back of the No. 10-seed in the East, and it would take a really strong and prolonged stretch of winning to get back in that hunt. Which means: the entire first half of 2026 will likely be rough… setting the stage for another upside down calendar year.
The obvious reason to be optimistic for the back portion of 2026- the return of Tyrese Haliburton. If it wasn’t already clear, everyone is now seeing the impact that #0 brings to this team when he’s on the court. It’s not just one guy putting up numbers. It’s a guy that makes everyone around him better, while bringing an infectious joy and competitive edge to the group on a nightly basis.
Haliburton’s return isn’t the only reason to feel good about next season. The Pacers are in line to get a good (or great) draft pick in a loaded draft this June. Even if they don’t land in the top-four, the odds are in their favor to get a really good player to add to the mix. The Pacers will also have some options with Bennedict Mathurin, as I’ve previously written about. If they don’t wish to extend him, they can trade him before the deadline, or possibly look for a sign-and-trade this summer. This front office has been extremely trustworthy in trades. If they make a deal, you can count on the fit.
Health is always the big question mark, but you would think this team will have better luck in this regard next season. The combination of Siakam, Nembhard, Mathurin, and Nesmith have only started two games together this season (the opener, and Friday night against the Spurs). This team also won’t have the “Game 7 of the NBA Finals + losing their franchise player” hangover that no one will ever be able to fully understand.
A lot can change from now until October. In the meantime, the Pacers will be looking for “wins” in a variety of ways, including ones that don’t only show up in the standings. Which players will play themselves into a role for next season? What will the Trade Deadline bring? How will Haliburton continue to progress in the next several months?
Hope springs eternal when the New Year arrives. For this Pacers team, I think it’s a safe bet to say: Better days are ahead later this year. We’ve seen stranger things in the world of sports.
