Pascal Siakam Embraces Pacers Being Counted Out Entering New Season

Pascal Siakam does not think anybody is talking about the Pacers. The Indiana Pacers held their last practice before the 2026-27 opener Tuesday, a day ahead of an 8 p.m. ET tip against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Indiana went 19-63 last season and finished 14th in the Eastern Conference. Tyrese Haliburton missed all of it with a torn right Achilles tendon, and Siakam averaged 24.0 points over 62 games on his way to a fourth All-Star selection.

Bleacher Report ranked Siakam 27th on its list of the league's best players heading into the season.

Everyone in the league got better, East and West, as Siakam sees it.

"I don't think nobody's talking about us, which is good," Siakam said. "I don't think it's like we're used to it, right? Like it's like, I don't know, you say an expectation, but for me I just feel like, yeah, people are counting us out, which is good for us. Keep working, put our heads down, and we know what we have. And I think it's one thing to talk about it, and another thing to go out there on the floor and do it. So I think we focus on doing that part."

Toronto drafted Siakam 27th overall out of New Mexico State in 2016, and Indiana acquired him from the Raptors in January 2024. With Haliburton running the offense, the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference finals that spring and the NBA Finals in 2025.

Game 7 of those Finals, at Oklahoma City, is where Haliburton was hurt, in the first quarter. The Thunder won 103-91.

Having everyone back is part of what has Siakam ready for games to start.

"He's the point guard, our leader, get us in position to be successful," Siakam explained. "And again, I think just more importantly for him, because I know it was a tough year. So as a basketball person, I know how hard it is to not play. Obviously, I've never had something to his level in terms of injury. But I know when you're out there with your teammates, you can't play. It's a hard thing."

"So I'm just happy for him," Siakam continued. "Happy to have him back playing the game. I'm sure he's happier. I'm excited. And we are for sure happy to have him back."

Siakam won a championship with Toronto in 2019, the same season he was named the NBA's Most Improved Player. He is 32 and has career averages of 18.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over 10 seasons. His contract runs through the 2027-28 season.

In the Oct. 16 preseason finale, Siakam scored 22 of his 24 points in the second quarter and made all eight of his shots in that period. He finished 8-of-10 from the field and 5-of-7 from 3-point range in 20:54.

Milwaukee came back from a 71-56 halftime deficit after Indiana's starters sat, winning 128-127 in overtime.

The Bucks scored 35 points in the second quarter of that game. Through four quarters, they had 18 offensive rebounds to Indiana's eight and a 23-6 edge in second-chance points. Myles Turner, who spent his first 10 seasons with the Pacers, had 13 rebounds and three blocks for Milwaukee.

Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce, who ran the bench that night, said the team was undisciplined late in the second quarter and left the strong-side corner a couple of times.

Siakam came into this season with goals and aspirations after Indiana did not play the way it wanted last year.

"We got guys that can defend, and we have to continue to establish our defense identity, what we want to do," Siakam said. "And I think from the time I came here, I've seen our defense grow every single year. Obviously, last year was a hard season. But the things that we were able to do on defense, I feel like we have a long way to go. But there's a lot of improvement."

The home opener is Friday at 7 p.m. ET against the Dallas Mavericks. A Sunday game in Brooklyn and a Monday game in Milwaukee follow.