The Pacers Are Starting to Defend Like Contenders - And Jay Huff Is Right at the Center of It
For the last couple of seasons, the Indiana Pacers have been known for lighting up the scoreboard. Offensively, they’ve been one of the most efficient teams in the league - finishing second and ninth in offensive rating the past two years.
But ask any Pacers fan and they’ll tell you: the defense? That’s where the questions have always lingered.
That narrative might be starting to change.
Yes, Indiana still has some defensive gaps, but this season, something has clicked - and it’s not just a small uptick. The Pacers are turning into a team that can actually get stops when it matters, and that’s a big deal for a squad that’s long been seen as offense-first, defense-later.
A Defensive Identity Begins to Form
Let’s rewind to the start of the season. Indiana gave up a rough 123.6 points per game over its first five contests - not exactly the kind of defensive showing that inspires confidence. But since then, the Pacers have tightened things up in a big way.
Over their last 10 games, Indiana owns a defensive rating of 112.8 - good for 11th in the league during that stretch. They’re also averaging six blocks per game, tied for the most in the NBA over that span alongside the Bulls and Mavericks. And opponents are shooting just 30.9% from three against them - the second-lowest mark in the league, trailing only Dallas.
That’s not just a few good games. That’s a trend.
The Jay Huff Effect
One of the biggest reasons for Indiana’s defensive surge? Jay Huff.
Following Myles Turner’s offseason departure, many expected the Pacers’ defense to take a serious hit - and that was fair. Turner, even with some recent decline in mobility, was still a strong rim protector. But Huff has stepped into that void and made it his own.
The 7-footer out of Virginia leads the league in blocks per game at 2.3, and he’s been even more dominant lately, averaging 3.3 blocks over his last seven outings. It’s not just the numbers - it’s the timing, the presence, the ability to alter shots and make drivers think twice before attacking the rim.
Head coach Rick Carlisle made it clear: Huff’s impact is real - and it’s not just on defense. “He’s made great progress, and he’s a terrific kid,” Carlisle said on The Fan Morning Show. “He’s certainly been a big part of it with his ability to stretch the floor.”
So while Huff’s rim protection is grabbing headlines, his offensive versatility - being able to space the floor and keep opposing bigs honest - is helping Indiana play a more modern, balanced brand of basketball.
The Supporting Cast Is Locking In
It’s not all on Huff, either. Indiana’s got a few other defenders stepping up in major ways.
Andrew Nembhard continues to earn praise as a tenacious on-ball defender. He’s not flashy, but he’s relentless - the kind of guy you want guarding the opposing team’s top scorer. Aaron Nesmith has emerged as the team’s top wing defender, while Pascal Siakam brings the kind of switchability and length that allows Indiana to throw different looks at opponents.
Still, the Pacers are allowing 53.9 points in the paint per game - not ideal, and certainly an area that still needs work. But the key is that they’re trending in the right direction, and more importantly, they’re starting to develop a defensive identity - something that’s been missing in recent years.
Building Momentum for the Long Haul
There’s still a long way to go. The Pacers aren’t suddenly a top-five defense overnight.
But they’ve gone from being a team that couldn’t get stops to one that can. And that’s a massive shift - especially for a franchise that’s trying to build something sustainable.
Health has played a role, too. As the roster stabilizes and players settle into their roles, the cohesion on the defensive end has noticeably improved.
The rotations are sharper. The communication is better.
And the trust - that hard-to-quantify but easy-to-see element of great team defense - is starting to show up.
Whether this defensive surge is enough to turn the Pacers into playoff threats this season remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that they’re laying the foundation for something bigger. If this group can continue to grow on this end of the floor, Indiana could be a very different kind of problem for the rest of the league in the near future.
For now, the Pacers are defending with purpose - and Jay Huff is leading the charge.