Sep 24, 2026 · 25 min · 9 segments
**0:00 Intro** **1:02 Indiana Pacers** **11:44 Minnesota Timberwolves** Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection…
Michael FreerPanelist
Ross GeigerHost
Now, Will B., the Indiana Pacers went just 19-63 last season after coming just a game short of winning the 2025 NBA Finals.
But with their franchise leader Tyrese Halliburton sidelined for the entire season due to his torn right Achilles injury, should we be just taking last year's record with a grain of salt?
I mean, they – they knew what they were in store coming into the season and they made moves and they played like the thing, you know, the roster they put out the line, they put out there, they were thinking ahead to this season.
They went from the upper half and offensive and defensive efficiency two years ago to the bottom 10 in both last season.
It was a really, uh, just a throwaway season, but not one that was a surprise.
We all figured it would be a problem heading into the season, maybe not to this extent 19 wins, but we didn't see them as contenders given the loss of Halliburton, how absolutely fantastic he was during that playoff run, how he's arguably a top 10 player in this league when he's fully healthy, certainly in top 15, all NBA quality player.
But so it's hard to really, I go, it's hard to really gauge the, last season as a, you know, prelude for this season because, you know, there's so many things going on.
Do you remember they traded for Avika Zubac and basically didn't play him because he got hurt after a while.
They had Pascal Siakam, who obviously continues to be – he was the man, continues to be awesome.
But you figure with Hal Burton back – To me, they figure to be in the mix in the wide open Eastern Conference for a contending spot, which would be a remarkable turnaround.
Go from the finals to near bottom in the East and back potentially to another trip to the finals.
That lineup, starting five, looks about – you could put them up against a lot of teams – and really come out ahead if you're a Pacers fan.
So it's funny to go from 19 wins to high expectation, but this is where we are with this Pacers team.
Now, Will B., the Indiana Pacers went just 19-63 last season after coming just a game short of winning the 2025 NBA Finals.
But with their franchise leader Tyrese Halliburton sidelined for the entire season due to his torn right Achilles injury, should we be just taking last year's record with a grain of salt?
I mean, they – they knew what they were in store coming into the season and they made moves and they played like the thing, you know, the roster they put out the line, they put out there, they were thinking ahead to this season.
They went from the upper half and offensive and defensive efficiency two years ago to the bottom 10 in both last season.
It was a really, uh, just a throwaway season, but not one that was a surprise.
We all figured it would be a problem heading into the season, maybe not to this extent 19 wins, but we didn't see them as contenders given the loss of Halliburton, how absolutely fantastic he was during that playoff run, how he's arguably a top 10 player in this league when he's fully healthy, certainly in top 15, all NBA quality player.
But so it's hard to really, I go, it's hard to really gauge the, last season as a, you know, prelude for this season because, you know, there's so many things going on.
Do you remember they traded for Avika Zubac and basically didn't play him because he got hurt after a while.
They had Pascal Siakam, who obviously continues to be – he was the man, continues to be awesome.
But you figure with Hal Burton back – To me, they figure to be in the mix in the wide open Eastern Conference for a contending spot, which would be a remarkable turnaround.
Go from the finals to near bottom in the East and back potentially to another trip to the finals.
That lineup, starting five, looks about – you could put them up against a lot of teams – and really come out ahead if you're a Pacers fan.
So it's funny to go from 19 wins to high expectation, but this is where we are with this Pacers team.
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