The Indiana Pacers have hit a cold stretch from beyond the arc - and it’s starting to show in the win column.
To start the season, the Pacers already weren’t lighting it up from deep. But over their last five games, the shooting slump has gone from concerning to glaring.
They're connecting on just 29.8% of their threes during that stretch, despite hoisting nearly 38 attempts per game. That’s the third-worst mark in the league over that span - and a significant drop from their November numbers, when they shot 31.9% on 35.1 attempts per game.
For a team that thrives on pace, space, and perimeter shot-making, that’s a problem.
A big part of the downturn? Tyrese Haliburton hasn’t been on the floor. And when he’s out, the ripple effects are massive.
Haliburton isn’t just the Pacers’ floor general - he’s the heartbeat of their offense. His elite court vision and ability to manipulate defenses create clean looks for teammates, especially from deep.
On top of that, he’s a knockdown shooter himself, with a career 39.2% mark from three. Without him, Indiana’s offense loses its rhythm, spacing tightens, and the quality of looks from deep drops off dramatically.
The result? A team that looks far less dynamic and far more predictable.
Still, there have been a few bright spots.
Andrew Nembhard has quietly stepped up in Haliburton’s absence. Over the last five games, he’s shooting 40.9% from three - a strong mark for a player still carving out his offensive identity. Known more for his poise and defense, Nembhard has been a bit of a streaky shooter in the past, but this recent stretch suggests real progress.
Garrison Mathews, brought in largely for his perimeter shooting, has delivered as advertised. He’s hitting 38.1% of his threes on 4.2 attempts per game over the same five-game stretch - solid production from a floor spacer who knows his role.
But beyond that duo, the numbers get dicey.
Only four Pacers are shooting 30% or better from three in the last five games. Rookie Johnny Furphy has made the most of limited opportunities, connecting on 37.5% of his threes - though he’s only taking 1.6 per game. Jarace Walker has been more aggressive, attempting 4.4 threes per game and hitting 31.8%, showing some promise as a developing stretch forward.
Then there’s Pascal Siakam. He’s been Indiana’s most impactful player this season, carrying a heavy load on both ends.
But his perimeter shooting has dipped lately - just 27.3% on 4.4 attempts per game. Given how much responsibility he’s shouldering, some inconsistency is expected.
Still, for a player who’s being asked to initiate, facilitate, and finish, the outside shot is a key part of keeping defenses honest. It’s something to monitor.
The struggles run deeper with Bennedict Mathurin (25% on 6.4 attempts), Jay Huff (23.3% on 6 attempts), and Quenton Jackson (22.2% on 3 attempts). All three have struggled to find the bottom of the net, and when multiple rotation players are cold at the same time, it adds up quickly.
Indiana’s system depends on spacing the floor and keeping defenses stretched thin. When the threes aren’t falling, the offense can bog down, and that’s exactly what’s happened during this 1-4 stretch.
It’s a small sample size, sure, but the dip in shooting efficiency is significant - and it’s not just about missing shots. It’s about how those misses affect the entire offensive flow.
The good news? Shooters have slumps, and teams go through stretches like this.
With Haliburton expected back at some point, there’s reason to believe this is more of a temporary setback than a long-term concern. But in today’s NBA, where spacing is everything and threes are the lifeblood of modern offenses, Indiana will need to rediscover its shooting touch - and soon - if it wants to stay competitive in a tightly packed Eastern Conference race.