Ben Sheppard’s line from Tuesday night looked rough at first glance: no made shots, no assists, just three rebounds in 19 minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder while starting for Aaron Nesmith.
But the box score only tells part of the story, and in Sheppard’s case, maybe not even the most important part.
The Pacers didn’t draft the Belmont wing at No. 26 in 2023 because they expected a polished scorer right away. The hope was simpler than that: a bench piece, maybe even a fringe starter, who could survive on the floor as a three-and-D wing. His appeal has always been tied more to effort and defense than shot creation.
That’s why nights like Tuesday can actually clarify his role instead of muddying it.
Sheppard has had a tough path to steady minutes because he’s been stuck behind players who are better than him, and others who carry more pull with the current front office. Even when minutes opened up last season, the fit was awkward. He was asked to take on a heavier offensive load on a bad team, and that meant more difficult shots when the easy ones still weren’t falling reliably.
If a player is still working to nail the corner three, asking for above-the-break offense without much room to get comfortable is a tall order. That’s the bind Sheppard found himself in.
But the version of Sheppard that matters most to Indiana is narrower and more useful in a very specific way. He can come in for a few possessions and guard a guard or smaller forward in isolation. That kind of specialist defender is exactly the type of option the Pacers will need in the playoffs, and it’s something they have not had.
That’s also why the idea that he should be more than a lottery ticket or a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency player misses the point. Depth isn’t only about collecting bodies who can suit up. It’s about having players who know their job the second they step on the court.
Against the Thunder, Sheppard was a +7, which was the second-best mark on the team. Even on a night when his shot disappeared, he still found a way to matter.
That’s the value he brings.
And it’s why he can still help Indiana, whether he’s making shots or not.
In Other News...
LeBron Just Put All The Pressure On Tyrese Haliburtons Return
LeBron James has already added a fresh layer of intrigue to Indianas outlook by pointing to the Pacers comeback potential and tying it directly to Tyrese Haliburtons health. For a team that has built so much of its identity around Haliburtons playmaking and feel for the game, the timing matters as much as anything else. His recent return to five-on-five work after an Achilles injury is a notable step, and it has naturally revived bigger questions about where the Pacers can go once he is fully back.
Haliburtons importance goes beyond the box score because so much of Indianas offense runs through his decision-making and pace. The Pacers have other pieces expected to help them push back toward contender status, but the conversation keeps circling back to the guard who changes the ceiling when he is right. LeBrons comments only sharpened that reality, turning Haliburtons comeback into more than a routine injury update and into a central part of the Pacers larger hopes. [Read more 🡒]
Ivica Zubac Is Quieting One Big Pacers Concern Fast
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The bigger picture is just as encouraging for Indiana because Zubac does not have to be the focal point to matter. His game is versatile enough to fit alongside the Pacers core pieces, and his ability to operate as a third option gives the offense another layer without forcing touches. If this early stretch is any indication, one of the teams biggest concerns is being addressed quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Haliburton Gave Pacers Fans An Early Reason To Believe
Tyrese Haliburton was back in the lineup for the Pacers third preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he wasted little time giving Indiana something to build on. In a 114-112 overtime loss, Haliburton looked sharp offensively, finishing with 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting while adding three assists, three rebounds and two blocks after sitting out the previous game.
For a preseason game that ended in a narrow defeat, the bigger takeaway for Indiana was the way Haliburton looked running the show again. The Pacers also got a strong night from Ivica Zubac, who posted 13 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals in just 18 minutes, but Haliburtons return was the clearest sign the team can start imagining what its offense might look like once the games count. [Read more 🡒]