In a twist that's becoming all too familiar for Pacers fans, the team found itself sidelined from the national spotlight once again this season. Originally slated for nine national TV appearances in their 82-game schedule, the Pacers saw six of those games dropped due to a mix of injuries and a challenging season record.
The final blow came when their April 7 home game against Minnesota was swapped out for the Hornets at Celtics matchup. With the Celtics riding high as Eastern Conference favorites, it's no surprise networks opted for the more high-profile game.
Ultimately, only three Pacers games were broadcasted nationally, accounting for just 3.6% of their season. Yet, this was still a slight bump compared to recent years. After their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000, Indiana kicked off the season hosting Oklahoma City and later took on Boston, both making it to national screens, along with an NBA Cup showdown in Cleveland.
Here's how the original lineup shifted:
- Oct. 23 vs. Oklahoma City remained on ESPN.
- Nov. 21 at Cleveland aired on Prime Video.
- Dec. 8 vs.
Sacramento on Peacock was replaced by Suns at Timberwolves.
- Dec. 26 vs.
Boston on Prime Video was swapped for 76ers at Bulls.
- Jan. 12 vs.
Boston stayed on Peacock.
- Jan. 23 at Oklahoma City on Prime Video was replaced by Nuggets at Bucks.
- Feb. 2 vs. Houston on Peacock was switched to 76ers at Clippers.
- Mar. 13 vs. New York on Prime Video became Cavaliers at Mavericks.
- Apr. 7 vs. Minnesota on NBC was replaced by Hornets at Celtics.
These changes meant more games were shifted to local broadcasts, with FanDuel Sports Network Indiana stepping up to cover the action. Fans could still catch Chris Denari, Quinn Buckner, and Jeremiah Johnson calling the games, ensuring that the Pacers faithful didn't miss a beat.