Pacers Eye Bigger Picture as Trade Deadline Looms, Injuries Mount, and Community Efforts Expand
With the NBA trade deadline just 48 hours away, the Indiana Pacers find themselves at a crossroads - not just in terms of roster construction, but in shaping a vision that looks beyond the current season. The playoffs may be a long shot, but that doesn’t mean this year is a wash. There’s still plenty to learn, build, and test-drive before the All-Star break, and the Pacers are using every opportunity to do just that.
Trade Deadline: Thinking Big, Not Just for Now
The front office is approaching the deadline with next season and the salary cap in mind. It’s less about a quick fix and more about laying the groundwork for a roster that can compete sustainably.
Monday night’s 118-114 loss to the Rockets only reinforced a glaring need: size and physicality in the paint. Houston hauled in 19 offensive rebounds and turned them into 30 second-chance points.
Add in a 31-16 edge at the free throw line, and that’s your ballgame right there.
Alperen Sengun had a field day against Indiana’s frontcourt, pouring in 39 points, grabbing 16 boards, and handing out five assists. It was a dominant performance that underscored what’s been obvious for a while - the Pacers need a starting-caliber center who can anchor the paint and hold his own against the league’s more physical bigs.
Siakam Named All-Star Reserve
Pascal Siakam continues to be a bright spot for Indiana, earning his fourth All-Star nod. He was selected as one of the Eastern Conference reserves by the league’s coaches, joining a group that includes Scottie Barnes, Jalen Duren, Jalen Johnson, Donovan Mitchell, Norman Powell, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
It’s a well-earned honor for Siakam, who’s been carrying a heavy load in the frontcourt - especially with Obi Toppin sidelined and the team lacking size. Siakam was also a nominee for Eastern Conference Player of the Month in January, though that award ultimately went to Boston’s Jaylen Brown.
Ethan Thompson Lights It Up in G League
Two-way guard Ethan Thompson is making noise of his own. He’s been selected to participate in the NBA G League’s Next Up Game after tying a franchise record with nine made threes in a win on Sunday - the second time he’s hit that mark this season. Thompson’s shooting is turning heads, and he’s giving the Pacers something to think about as they evaluate backcourt depth moving forward.
Nesmith Gets Weekly Honors Nod
Aaron Nesmith, who’s quietly carved out a valuable role this season, was nominated for Eastern Conference Player of the Week. That recognition ultimately went to Hornets rookie Brandon Miller, but it’s another sign that Nesmith’s impact isn’t going unnoticed.
Obi Toppin Recovery: Progress, But Patience Required
It’s now been three months since Obi Toppin underwent surgery on his right foot, and the latest update from head coach Rick Carlisle is cautiously optimistic. Toppin is ahead of schedule and has resumed some on-court work, but Carlisle made it clear: “It’ll be a while.”
Toppin’s absence has been felt all season. His athleticism, energy, and ability to stretch the floor would’ve helped take some pressure off Siakam and given the Pacers a more dynamic frontcourt rotation. Until he’s back, Indiana continues to feel the ripple effects of his injury.
Shorthanded Pacers vs. Shorthanded Jazz
Tuesday’s game against the Jazz marks the final contest of a four-game homestand, and the Pacers are leaning heavily into rest and recovery. They’ll be without their top four scorers - a group that collectively averages over 82 points per game - in what will be their third game in four nights.
Out for Indiana:
- Andrew Nembhard
- Aaron Nesmith
- Pascal Siakam
- T.J. McConnell
- Bennedict Mathurin
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Obi Toppin
Micah Potter is also listed on the injury report with a left hip contusion.
The Jazz aren’t coming in at full strength either. Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, and Georges Niang are all out.
Kevin Love is doubtful, and Kyle Anderson is questionable. There’s also a reported trade in the works between Utah and Memphis that could shuffle the deck further, involving Anderson, Niang, Taylor Hendricks, and Walter Clayton Jr.
Jusuf Nurkic, initially ruled out, has now been upgraded to available - just enough to meet the league’s minimum roster requirement.
Drive & Dish Initiative Expands Impact
Off the court, the Pacers continue to make meaningful contributions through their Drive & Dish initiative, a program launched by Carlisle more than two years ago to combat food insecurity across Indiana.
Thanks to a new partnership with Kroger, MPS Egg Farms, and HATCH for Hunger, every made three-pointer at Gainbridge Fieldhouse now delivers more than just a scoreboard boost. Each triple results in three cases of eggs - each case containing 540 eggs - being donated to families in need.
With the Pacers averaging 12.6 made threes per game at home, that translates to roughly 7,020 eggs per game. The goal? To deliver over 100,000 eggs to communities across the state.
“We’re really excited about this new Drive & Dish partnership and what it means for families across Indiana,” said Corey Wilson, PS&E’s SVP of Community Engagement. “This initiative will help feed thousands of Hoosiers, and that’s a powerful way we can make an impact beyond the game.”
Carlisle echoed that sentiment Monday night, calling the initiative “very successful” and expressing gratitude for the ownership’s commitment to expanding the program to other Indiana cities.
Around the Basketball World
- Pat Knight, a former Pacers scout and longtime coach, has stepped down as head coach of Marian University’s boys basketball team after a disagreement with administration over staffing decisions. Knight says he’s at peace with the decision and is eyeing a return to NBA scouting.
- Gordon Hayward will have his jersey retired by Brownsburg High School on Thursday. The 2020 lottery pick officially retired from the NBA in 2024 after a strong pro career.
- On the WNBA front, there’s still no major movement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The league and players’ union met Monday in New York, but nothing substantial has emerged yet.
- The Pacers will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day during Tuesday’s game. Fever players Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, and Makayla Timpson are tentatively scheduled to attend.
- Meanwhile, construction continues on the Fever’s new sports performance center, with visual updates showing steady progress.
The Pacers may be banged up and sitting in the lower tier of the Eastern Conference standings, but they’re not sitting still. Between Siakam’s All-Star honor, Thompson’s G League emergence, Toppin’s recovery, and an eye on long-term roster building, Indiana is staying active - both on the court and in the community. The second half of the season may not be about chasing wins, but it’s absolutely about chasing growth.