The Pacers Post Up

The Pacers have now lost eight straight games for the second time this season, surrendering 140-plus points to both Boston and Miami over a brutal weekend stretch. Despite moments of competitive play, Indiana once again couldn’t sustain defensive stops or close games when it mattered most. There were a few bright spots: Aaron Nesmith returned to the lineup in Miami after missing time since mid-November, and Andrew Nembhard dished out a career-high 16 assists in the loss to the Heat. But the bigger picture remains troubling as the Pacers continue to give up massive scoring nights while struggling to st...

The 12 Days of Centers series comes to a close with a full-circle finale — and some much-needed clarity. We’re joined by Alex Golden from the Setting the Pace podcast to revisit every center we’ve discussed throughout the series and stack them up. Alex brings a tier-based approach to the conversation, helping separate realistic options from dream scenarios — and short-term fits from long-term solutions. Together, we debate what truly matters for the Pacers center of the future, break down where each candidate lands within those tiers, and challenge our own assumptions along the way. From bold ideas to grounded expectati...

Day 11 of the 12 Days of Centers takes a step back into Pacers past to answer a fun but loaded question: If you could drop any center from franchise history onto the current roster, who would it be? Brad and Ryan debate a wide range of Pacers bigs—from the dominance of Jermaine O’Neal, the skill and shooting of Rik Smits and Brad Miller, the playmaking of Domantas Sabonis, the rim protection of Roy Hibbert, to the toughness and winning impact of Mel Daniels, Jeff Foster, and more. We explore how each would fit alongside today’s roster, what their...

Day 10 of our 12 Days of Centers series shifts the focus from trades and free agency to the draft — because sometimes the long-term answer is found on draft night. In this episode, we break down three early 2026 NBA Draft prospects who could factor into the Pacers search for frontcourt help. We start with Cam Boozer, who may not be a traditional center but is very much in play if Indiana finds itself picking in the top five. His versatility, skill level, and two-way upside make him a fascinating frontcourt building block, even if the positional label says “forward.” We also dive i...

Day 9 of our 12 Days of Centers series brings a special 2-for-1 — and it’s a dream scenario. We take a deep dive into Miami Heat bigs Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware, two very different centers who both feel unlikely based on contract and availability… but would completely change the Pacers ceiling if the door ever cracked open. Bam represents the ultimate plug-and-play veteran: elite defensive versatility, playmaking from the five, switchability, and a skill set that checks almost every box this roster needs. Ware, on the other hand, is the upside swing — a young, bouncy big who adds rim protec...

Brad and Ryan roll on with The 12 Days of Centers by examining Robert Williams III, one of the most impactful defensive centers in the league when healthy. “Time Lord” brings elite rim protection, explosive vertical spacing, and a proven ability to anchor a top-tier defense at the highest level. The guys break down Williams’ fit next to Tyrese Haliburton, highlighting his lob gravity, help-side instincts, and playoff-tested defensive presence. They also dive into the elephant in the room—durability. With a lengthy injury history, the conversation centers on risk vs. reward, contract value, and whether Indiana could manage his minutes...

Brad and Ryan continue The 12 Days of Centers with a deep dive on Nic Claxton, one of the most intriguing defensive bigs on the market. Claxton brings elite switchability, rim protection, and mobility—traits that fit seamlessly next to Tyrese Haliburton in an up-tempo system. The guys break down Claxton’s evolution in Brooklyn, his ability to guard in space while still protecting the rim, and why his vertical spacing and defensive versatility could unlock another level for the Pacers. They also discuss the concerns: limited offensive creation, durability questions, and what the realistic trade price might look like. Is C...

Brad continues the 12 Days of Centers with one of the most proven defensive anchors in the NBA: Jarrett Allen. A rim-running big with elite rebounding, shot-blocking, and vertical spacing, Allen brings exactly the kind of interior presence the Pacers have lacked for years. We break down his fit next to Tyrese Haliburton as a lob threat and screen-setter, his ability to clean up defensive mistakes, and whether his contract and skill set align with Indiana’s long-term Finals aspirations. The big question: is Allen the steady, no-nonsense center who helps raise the Pacers floor — or does his limited offensive rang...

Day 5 of the 12 Days of Centers focuses on the most intriguing option already in the building: Jay Huff. Of all the bigs currently on the roster, Huff has shown the most tangible promise this season — anchoring the paint, leading the league in blocks, and adding a legitimate stretch element with his three-point shooting. Brad and Ryan break down why Huff’s skill set fits seamlessly with the Pacers style: rim protection on one end, floor spacing on the other, and the ability to thrive in a fast, read-and-react offense. Factor in his extremely team-friendly contract, and Huff’s value become...

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Centers takes a look at Daniel Gafford, one of the league’s most efficient rim runners and a constant vertical threat around the basket. Brad and Ryan break down what makes Gafford intriguing for the Pacers — elite finishing at the rim, legit size, shot-blocking instincts, and the ability to thrive as a lob target in a high-tempo offense. While Gafford hasn’t been a consistent full-time starter throughout his career, his success as a high-level backup raises an interesting question: could he take a leap next to a playmaker like Tyrese Haliburton? It’s a good...

Brad and Ryan continue The 12 Days of Centers with one of the most intriguing names to hit the rumor mill: Walker Kessler. Following yesterday’s report from Shams Charania that the Pacers are expected to be aggressive in their search for a long-term center, Kessler’s name has surfaced as a realistic target. We break down Kessler’s profile as a legitimate rim-running lob threat, elite shot blocker (2.4 BPG for his career), and developing stretch-big, who showed promising three-point flashes before undergoing labrum surgery just five games into his fourth season. At only 24, his upside as a defensive anchor and ef...

Brad and Ryan continue The 12 Days of Centers with a familiar face: Domantas Sabonis. A former Pacer and fan favorite, Domas brings a rare blend of playmaking, rim-running, rebounding, and elite passing that few bigs in the league can match. We revisit his trajectory since leaving Indy, break down how his offensive versatility could elevate the Pacers’ system, and explore whether a reunion with Tyrese Haliburton in 2027 could unlock an even higher ceiling for a franchise chasing its next Finals run. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection an...

Brad and Ryan kick off The 12 Days of Centers with a legitimate candidate whose name has been swirling in the rumor mill: Ivica Zubac. Fresh off a career year with the Clippers, Zubac brings size, physicality, and a proven track record of elite screen-setting and interior play. We break down how his game translates to Indiana, his potential fit next to Tyrese Haliburton once he returns in 2027, and whether Zubac could be the long-term defensive anchor the Pacers need for another Finals push. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about...

Brad and Ryan reunite for a full State of the Union on the Pacers after their brief two-game win streak comes to an abrupt end with losses to Cleveland and Denver. The guys dig into the biggest emerging theme of the season: the head scratching scoring lulls—including a brutal 22–3 Denver run to end the first half—that Indiana simply can’t survive despite otherwise solid play. They break down big nights from Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray, the return of Johnny Furphy, continued positives from Jay Huff, and Ben Sheppard’s improved shooting. The episode closes with a league-wid...

Thanksgiving weekend brought something Pacers fans have been waiting for all season—a winning streak. Indiana took down the Wizards and then capped it with a wild buzzer-beater from Pascal Siakam to steal one against Chicago. We break down how Jay Huff’s insertion into the starting lineup has changed things on both ends, including his newfound status as the NBA’s shot-blocking leader. Plus, T.J. McConnell’s steady energy, improved defensive stretches, and what this mini-run means for the Pacers moving forward. A rare feel-good weekend for a team trying to claw back into relevance—let’s talk about i...

The Pacers suffered a brutal Thanksgiving Eve loss in Toronto, falling 97–95 on a Brandon Ingram buzzer beater after clawing their way back from a massive deficit. Indiana surrendered a staggering 22–0 Raptors run spanning the second and third quarters, yet still showed real resilience by battling back to give themselves a chance in the final moments. With Nembhard, Mathurin, and Siakam struggling to find rhythm, TJ McConnell stepped up in a major way, finishing with 16 points, 6 assists, and 7 rebounds in one of his best all-around games of the season. Jay Huff continued his strong stretch, while Jarace Walker and Ben Shep...

The Pacers dropped their 15th game of the season in a 122–117 loss to the red-hot Pistons, who extended their win streak to 13 and remain atop the Eastern Conference. Indiana surrendered 71 first-half points but responded with one of their best stretches of the year, outscoring Detroit by 11 in the second half and giving themselves a real chance late. Jarace Walker delivered a true breakout, scoring a career-high 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 5-of-6 from three, finally snapping out of his offensive slump. TJ McConnell also looked the best he has all season, dropping 16 points on 8-of-12 as he finds his rh...

The Pacers fall 120–109 to Cleveland, dropping to 0–2 in the In-Season Tournament and officially eliminated from the knockout round. Indiana’s big three of Andrew Nembhard, Ben Mathurin, and Pascal Siakam carried the offensive load, each delivering standout nights. But outside of those three, the supporting cast struggled to put the ball in the basket, and the Cavs’ balanced attack proved too much. Brad and Ryan break down the loss, discuss why the center rotation continues to be a glaring issue, and explore potential trade targets that could stabilize the position. We also dive into where Andrew Nembhard stacks up among th...

The Pacers delivered their most complete performance of the season, securing win No. 2 against a young Hornets squad. Indiana finally broke through offensively—shooting over 50% from the field for the first time this year and drilling 16 threes at 42%. Six players scored in double figures, with three topping 20 points, but the headliner was Jay Huff, who posted his first 20-point game as a Pacer, splashed four threes, and threw down a massive third-quarter dunk. Bennedict Mathurin continued his strong return to action with a 7-of-13 night and a season-best 12 rebounds. Ryan and Brad break down how this was the Pacers’ most...

In this episode, we break down the Pacers’ tough road loss in Detroit as Indiana falls to 1–13 on the season. Benedict Mathurin returned to action with a massive fourth-quarter surge, reminding fans of the spark he brings to the lineup. Isaiah Jackson delivered an inspired performance in his Detroit homecoming, flashing energy and efficiency throughout the night. But Jalen Duren and the Pistons’ overwhelming physicality controlled the paint from start to finish, ultimately proving too much for the Pacers to handle. We dive into the key runs, standout performances, what went wrong, and what this means for Indiana moving forwar...