MILWAUKEE — The Indiana Pacers are currently grappling with challenges as they aim to maintain the momentum they built in the previous season. This year, they find themselves struggling, having lost three consecutive games and five of their last six, culminating in a setback against the Milwaukee Bucks with a final score of 129-117. With a record of 6-10, the Pacers have stumbled to an 0-2 start in the inaugural NBA Cup, having previously finished second in last year’s edition of the In-Season Tournament.
A significant contributor to Indiana’s recent struggles has been the disappointing performance of Tyrese Haliburton. After enjoying a standout season that saw him earn third-team All-NBA honors and help lead the Pacers to the Eastern Conference finals, Haliburton is experiencing a drop in his performance this year. His shooting has taken a hit, with only 37.8% from the field and 29.4% from three-point range, a stark contrast to his previous season’s figures of 47.7% and 36.4%, respectively. Additionally, his scoring has decreased from an average of 20.1 points last season to just 15.5 this year, while his assists have dipped to 8.5 per game after leading the league with 10.9 assists the previous year.
Recognizing the need for improvement, Haliburton expressed his determination to enhance his game. “I’ve got to be better,” he noted. Last year’s NBA Cup had highlighted his talents, where he delivered a remarkable performance against the Bucks, mimicking the “Dame Time” celebration after scoring 27 points and dishing out 15 assists in the semifinals. However, this time, despite recording 18 points and nine assists in the recent game, he felt that his contributions came too late in the contest, as the team struggled to mount a comeback. “I’ve just got to keep trusting myself, working hard, trusting my teammates. I’ll figure it out,” he reassured.
Haliburton’s recent struggle is compounded by the injury woes facing the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith has been sidelined for three weeks due to a sprained ankle, while Andrew Nembhard has not played since November 6 due to a knee injury. Despite these setbacks, forward Pascal Siakam refused to use injuries as an excuse for the Pacers’ poor start. “This is the NBA, man. It happens to everyone. You can’t use it as an excuse,” he stated emphatically after scoring 25 points in the game.
Despite the loss, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle noted some positive aspects of his team’s performance. Although they never held a lead, the Pacers managed to cut a 25-point third-quarter deficit down to six in the fourth, a sign of potential resilience. “It’s something to build on, as tough as it’s been,” Carlisle commented. He remarked on the need for better connectivity among players and highlighted a recent team discussion that allowed players to voice their concerns. “We did a lot of listening to the players. They did a lot of talking to themselves about it,” he added, seeing a glimpse of improvement in the second half of Tuesday’s game.
The Pacers finished their three-game road trip without a victory but will return home for the next four games, hoping to refine their game and secure some much-needed wins. They will take inspiration from the Bucks, who managed to rebound from a slow start, winning five out of their last six games after losing eight of their first ten, now placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference. “Right now, it can’t just be about the ball and who’s touching it and who’s getting shots,” Carlisle explained. “It needs to be about the entire team and the challenges we are facing. We represent a great organization, a great state, a great fan base. And we have an important week ahead of us; nothing will come easy this year – nothing.”