Kelly Oubre Jr. came to Indiana for the pace. Two preseason games in, he’s finding out the Pacers’ speed comes with a learning curve.
The veteran wing signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Pacers ahead of the 2026-27 season, and after three years in Philadelphia, the up-tempo approach in Indianapolis was part of the appeal. Now he’s seeing that the words “play fast” mean a lot more once the games start.
“It takes a while to get in this kind of condition to play fast and to play at the level that we play at,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Saturday. “A lot of players will tell you they want to run, they want to play fast, until they find out what the commitment is.
… A lot of our guys are in very good condition but for the newer guys that haven’t played in this kind of style, it’s an adjustment. But (Oubre) is doing well.”
Oubre’s first preseason action came in Ames, Iowa, where he spent most of the game with the second unit. In 10 minutes, he hit one 3-pointer, added two free throws and finished with five points, two assists and two rebounds.
His role grew in the second preseason game when Tyrese Haliburton sat out with what Carlisle called a “mild tweak of the right ankle.” Oubre is not a point guard, but his flexibility and experience were enough to push him into the starting lineup, with Andrew Nembhard moving up to start at the point.
That larger role also gave Oubre a clearer view of what the Pacers’ style demands. The speed is real, but so is the need to stay organized.
“I love it,” Oubre said when asked about his adjustment to the Pacers’ speed on Monday. “It’s one thing about playing fast, but another thing about playing with your head on your shoulders. So just figuring out how we can manipulate the speed versus the quality of possessions and getting exactly what we want every time.”
There are still details he says he’s working through, including defensive schemes, terminology and close-out procedures. Even so, he feels comfortable with the basic shape of the system and the “fundamental basketball” side of it.
Pascal Siakam sees the fit, too.
“I think he has a good energy about him,” Siakam said Saturday. “He’s bought into playing the way we play.
I think he’s an underrated driver. I feel like, you know, he can really drive and make plays or finishes, and he can also (spread) the floor.
So I think he’s a good fit for us. I think he’s probably got to understand all of us a little bit more too, that’s gonna take time.
But I think often the things that he does well, I think it fits us.”
Once Haliburton is healthy - he was not limited in practice Monday - Oubre is expected to slide back to the bench. That’s the spot Indiana wants him in, with the chance to serve as a versatile sixth man and also step into the starting five if injuries require it.
Whatever the assignment, Carlisle said Oubre has already shown the kind of traits the Pacers want around their system.
“He’s started a lot of games in this league,” Carlisle said Monday. “He’s played well in the first two games, he’s a consistent practice guy, and I love his edge, his vibe as a teammate. All those things.”
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