The Indiana Pacers will enter the 2025-26 season with a a lot totally different crew. With Tyrese Haliburton out attributable to a torn Achilles tendon, Andrew Nembhard would be the new main ball handler. Nevertheless, the Pacers added energy on the level guard place.
The Indiana Pacers, who had a terrific run within the 2025 playoffs, are reeling from a severe harm to star participant Tyrese Haliburton. He’ll miss your entire 2025-26 season attributable to a torn Achilles tendon, however the Pacers have relationship with Andrew Nembhard and he has improved with the assistance of the Pacers employees.
The crew’s new place to begin guard may have main playmaking duties, however the elevated duty will enable him to make strides as an offensive participant. Haliburton’s harm was an enormous blow, so that they wanted extra guard depth.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle feels new addition Cameron Payne has seemed good in coaching camp and the preseason. This newfound depth could possibly be an underrated energy heading right into a season the place persons are predicting the Pacers will lose.
Haliburton is not the one injured participant because the 2025-26 season approaches. NBA Finals hero TJ McConnell can be coping with an harm and shall be out for no less than a month. Which means Nembhard will want Payne to step up as a backup and presumably a backcourt companion.
Fortunately, Payne has been spectacular all through coaching camp and the preseason. Carlisle has been raving about him for some time, which ought to bode nicely for the Pacers, who will begin the 2025-26 season with two level guards down.
The crew wants somebody to fill in for Nembhard, so Payne stands out due to his expertise as a dependable backup guard.
“Cam’s doing nicely. He is a veteran and an expert. He is been right here and he is clearly in fine condition. He is a man who’s able to go wherever the chance comes and is a menace to attain. He drives, he takes long-range photographs, he has a really feel for the sport,” Carlisle stated throughout media availability.
“Our defensive system is slightly totally different than what he is been taking part in. After two reside practices, he is progressing. Cam Payne is an offensive participant by nature, so his full-court pickups are a direct reflection of that aggressiveness.”
“And he’s a man who’s at all times making an attempt to do this, similar to Andrew Nembhard.”
The Pacers are coming into the brand new season with restricted expectations. They might have been the crew from final 12 months’s NBA Finals, however persons are counting them out as a result of they do not have Haliburton. Add to that the lack of Myles Turner, and folks have made up their minds in regards to the crew.
That being stated, the Pacers nonetheless have a robust group of gamers with Pascal Siakam as their star. Nembhard may have a breakout season, particularly with the added duty.
The remainder of the crew stays underrated, together with Aaron Nesmith and Benedict Mathurin. Additionally they have one of the vital underrated pickups of your entire offseason, Jay Huff of the Memphis Grizzlies.
With Carlisle teaching this crew, something is feasible. They’ve gained new depth on the level guard place, which may shock many by successful extra video games than anticipated.
