Pascal Siakam’s preseason had drawn plenty of noise, and not much of it was kind. The early shooting struggles were real, and by Saturday, some of the concern around the 32-year-old had started to sound louder than the actual basketball. But in the Pacers’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Siakam offered a sharp reminder of what he can do when he’s rolling.
Indiana’s 15-point first-half push had Siakam scoring at more than a point a minute, and for a player whose value goes well beyond the box score, that kind of burst matters. He may not be the Pacers’ best player, but he is probably their best scorer.
When he’s in rhythm, the whole offense looks cleaner. When he isn’t, the team can start to feel flat and overly dependent on its other stars.
That’s the thing with Siakam: his impact is never just about shot making. He pulls defensive attention in a way that makes life easier for everyone else.
There are going to be nights when the shots disappear or when the line next to his name looks ugly, but those box-score swings don’t tell the full story. Against Milwaukee, he looked like the player Indiana needs him to be.
If that version of Siakam shows up consistently, it changes the conversation around this team fast. A drop-off from him would leave the Pacers far closer to ordinary than contender territory. So for now, the hope is simple: that the Siakam who showed up Saturday is the real one this season.
What stands out about Indiana is how naturally the pieces seem to lock together. The roster has a kind of lattice to it, with each starter built to help the next one succeed.
Ivica Zubac creates the screen action that opens Aaron Nesmith for clean looks off the ball. Nesmith’s movement then helps create room for Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam to attack.
Their ability to shoulder more scoring lets Tyrese Haliburton conserve energy. And that, in turn, leaves Zubac working against opponents who are worn down.
It’s the sort of system that feeds itself. The Pacers don’t just need talent; they need players who, to quote LeBron James, try to fit in instead of trying to fit out.
Siakam fits that idea as well as anyone. His versatility is what helps make the whole structure work, and Indiana’s style places him right in the middle of it all - between Haliburton’s fast-break play and Zubac’s post-up game - with the same steady hunger for another title.
In Other News...
Braden Smith Is Giving Pacers Fans A Real Backup Guard Debate
Braden Smith keeps making this an interesting preseason subplot for the Pacers. In 14:22 of regulation against the Bucks, the two-way guard handed out 6 assists while dealing with 3 turnovers, another reminder that his feel for the game is already easy to see even as he works through the usual edges of a young guard trying to earn more trust. Indiana lost in overtime, but Smiths presence was still noticeable in the kind of minutes that often tell a team whether a prospect can hang at this level.
Tyrese Haliburton offered a notable endorsement afterward, praising Smiths passing and comparing his baseline instincts to T.J. McConnell, who sat out because of an undisclosed issue. For the Pacers, that kind of internal comparison matters because it speaks to more than one skill set at once: Smith is still developing his aggressiveness, but the passing vision is real enough that it is already inviting a backup guard discussion in camp. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Haliburtons Fiery Bucks Exchange Looks Even More Personal Now
The preseason meeting between the Pacers and Bucks on Oct. 15 already had more edge than most exhibition games, thanks to a heated exchange between Tyrese Haliburton and Ryan Rollins after a hard foul. Haliburton was hit with a technical on the spot, then answered with a made 3 and more words in Rollins direction, turning a routine tune-up into one of the more animated moments of the night.
Milwaukee ended up edging Indiana 128-127 in overtime, though neither guard saw the extra period. Even in a game that meant little in the standings, the back-and-forth stood out because it showed how quickly the matchup can turn from preseason casual to something far more personal, especially with both teams spending the night sorting out physicality and pride. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Haliburton's Emotional Pacers Return Meant More Than One Night
Tyrese Haliburtons first trip back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse since the 2025 NBA Finals carried far more weight than a preseason box score. After missing the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn Achilles, Haliburton was back on the floor in the preseason finale against the Bucks, and the night had the feel of a long-awaited checkpoint for both the Pacers and their point guard.
Haliburton finished with 17 points and 6 assists in just over 20 minutes, but the more meaningful part was simply seeing him move, compete and look at home again in front of an Indiana crowd that has been waiting a year to welcome him back. He spoke afterward about how much it meant to return healthy and about his appreciation for the fan base, and for a team that still measures itself by his presence, the comeback night felt like more than a tuneup. [Read more 🡒]