The Indiana Pacers shocked the basketball world last season with a run that nobody outside of Indianapolis could have seen coming. What was once thought to be a young, promising, but still incomplete roster turned into one of the most fearless playoff squads in the NBA, navigating through adversity and stiff competition to reach the NBA Finals. For a franchise that has long been associated with grit and resilience, this latest chapter felt like a vindication. However, as inspiring as that journey was, the coming season offers a new challenge—how to sustain success and adapt without the guiding presence of their centerpiece star, Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers not only need to replace his production and leadership but also keep their depth intact in a league where maintaining balance is often the difference between being a contender and being forgotten.
The loss of Haliburton to injury is not just a minor adjustment. He was not only the engine of the Pacers’ offense but also the emotional anchor of the team. His playmaking, court vision, and ability to dictate tempo turned Indiana into one of the most dangerous transition offenses in the league. Even when teams threw multiple defenders at him, his unselfishness ensured that shooters and cutters were always fed with precision passes. That orchestration won’t be easy to replicate, and no single player on the roster can fill his shoes entirely. Instead, Indiana will need to rely on collective growth, incremental improvements from multiple players, and a system that emphasizes balance over star reliance.
Rick Carlisle has never been a coach who panics when circumstances change. His adaptability and creativity with rotations were on full display last season, and now those qualities will be tested more than ever. Without Haliburton, he must build an offensive structure that doesn’t collapse under the weight of isolation play. Fortunately, the Pacers still boast an enviable amount of depth, with players who can attack, defend, and contribute across multiple positions. Carlisle’s challenge will be to harness that depth, ensuring that the team maintains its fast pace and unselfish ball movement without relying on the singular brilliance of Haliburton.
The emergence of Bennedict Mathurin becomes critical in this scenario. Last season, Mathurin showed flashes of being more than just a scorer—he proved that he could step into big moments and deliver under pressure. With Haliburton sidelined, Mathurin’s role expands. No longer just a supporting scorer, he now becomes one of the focal points of the offense. His ability to slash to the rim, create shots off the dribble, and draw fouls will be essential to keep defenses honest. More importantly, Mathurin must evolve into a more reliable playmaker, someone who can shoulder part of the distribution responsibilities that Haliburton carried. The Pacers don’t need him to become a point guard overnight, but they do need him to recognize passing opportunities and elevate the play of those around him.
Andrew Nembhard is another piece of the puzzle who will be relied upon heavily. Already known for his steady hand and defensive versatility, Nembhard has the potential to become the team’s floor general in Haliburton’s absence. His calm demeanor, ability to guard multiple positions, and knack for making the right reads will be invaluable. While he may not possess Haliburton’s flair, he can provide a stabilizing influence, ensuring that Indiana’s offense doesn’t devolve into chaos when pressured. His development into a more confident scorer will also be crucial, as opponents will likely dare him to be aggressive in order to prevent Indiana’s wings from getting comfortable looks.
Beyond the guards, the Pacers’ depth across the roster becomes their greatest strength. Pascal Siakam, acquired midseason last year, has the championship pedigree and versatility to carry heavier offensive loads. Siakam thrives in transition but also has the ability to create mismatches in half-court situations. With Haliburton out, Siakam’s role as a secondary creator becomes magnified. His ability to draw double teams in the post and kick out to shooters can serve as a surrogate for Haliburton’s playmaking. The key will be consistency—Siakam will need to play with the kind of aggression that once made him an All-NBA talent in Toronto, especially as Indiana looks for reliable offensive initiators.
Myles Turner, the longest-tenured Pacer, also has a chance to redefine his role. Long known as a defensive anchor and rim protector, Turner showed last season that he could stretch the floor and provide crucial offensive contributions. His ability to hit outside shots keeps defenses spaced, but the Pacers may now need him to expand his offensive toolkit. More post touches, more involvement in pick-and-rolls, and greater assertiveness could help offset the absence of Haliburton’s orchestrating hand. Turner has always had the talent, but now the responsibility to lead in both performance and example is more pressing.
Depth players such as Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, and T.J. McConnell give Carlisle flexibility that many other coaches envy. Nesmith’s perimeter shooting and defensive toughness make him an ideal glue guy who can adapt to multiple lineups. Toppin, with his energy and athleticism, provides an instant spark, particularly in transition. McConnell, the veteran guard, may see his minutes increase, as his leadership and ability to steady the offense could be critical in maintaining composure during tight stretches. The bench, long a source of pride for Indiana, will be tested but also has the potential to carry games when starters falter.
What makes this season intriguing is not just the challenge of replacing Haliburton, but also the opportunity it creates for the Pacers to grow in ways they might not have otherwise. Without their star, players who might have remained in supporting roles are now thrust into the spotlight, accelerating their development. The adversity forces Carlisle and the team to refine their system, ensuring it doesn’t rely too heavily on a single individual. When Haliburton eventually returns, the Pacers could be stronger and more balanced, with multiple players who have gained valuable experience in elevated roles.
Of course, the road won’t be smooth. The Eastern Conference remains brutally competitive, with teams like Boston, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Miami all loaded with star power and veteran leadership. Without Haliburton, the Pacers risk slipping in the standings, especially early in the season as they adapt to new roles and rotations. There will be nights when the offense sputters, when turnovers pile up, and when the absence of their orchestrator feels overwhelming. The key will be resilience—the same resilience that carried them through improbable victories last season.
The Pacers’ identity has always been tied to their underdog spirit, and once again, they find themselves overlooked in preseason predictions. Analysts may write them off without Haliburton, assuming their Finals run was a fluke. Yet, this team thrives when doubted. Carlisle’s experience, the hunger of their young core, and the steady leadership of veterans create a foundation that won’t easily crumble. If anything, the lowered expectations may liberate them, allowing players to compete with a chip on their shoulders and prove that Indiana’s rise was no accident.
Beyond the basketball side, there’s also an emotional element. Haliburton’s presence, even if only from the bench during his recovery, continues to inspire his teammates. His passion for the game and visible support for his teammates will serve as a reminder of what they’re fighting for. In some ways, his absence could galvanize the locker room, pushing players to dig deeper and honor their star by keeping the Pacers competitive until he returns. The bond formed through such challenges can’t be quantified but often translates into the kind of chemistry that separates contenders from pretenders.
As the season unfolds, Indiana’s story will be one of adaptation, perseverance, and identity. Can they replicate the unselfishness and creativity that Haliburton embodied? Can Mathurin, Nembhard, Siakam, and Turner shoulder the expanded responsibilities without losing efficiency? Can Carlisle craft a system that turns a potential weakness into a collective strength? The answers to these questions will determine not just whether the Pacers remain competitive, but also how they are perceived within the larger NBA landscape.
For fans, the season promises to be a roller coaster, but one worth embracing. The beauty of sports lies not only in victories but also in the struggles, the reinventions, and the moments when a team must redefine itself. Last year’s Finals run was a fairy tale. This year, the challenge is more grounded but no less compelling. If the Pacers can navigate this storm, they will emerge tougher, more versatile, and better prepared for the long haul of building a championship contender.
Indiana basketball has always thrived on resilience, from the days of Reggie Miller carrying the city on his back to the modern era of young stars trying to carve out their legacy. This season, resilience once again becomes the theme. The loss of Tyrese Haliburton is significant, but it doesn’t spell doom. Instead, it presents an opportunity for growth, unity, and evolution. The Pacers shocked the league once already. If they manage to weather this new storm and remain a force in the East, the shockwaves will be even greater, proving that last season was not an anomaly but the beginning of something lasting.
