If Tyrese Haliburton perfectly embodies the style of the Pacers, perhaps the key player, the one who makes the difference in Indiana, is good Pascal Siakam. He arrived in January 2024 and with him, the franchise won five sets of playoffs (out of six), losing only against the Celtics in the 2024 conference final.
“If, to build around him, we have the right player, then it goes faster than you think. With Tyrese, we have a very clear identity, which is necessary for the team. We needed to be a team that plays quickly and that shoots well. The transfer of Pascal Siakam made it possible to change dimension ”,, estimated Rick Carlisle.
Pascal, the big brother
How ? In two stages. Already with his level of play. The former of Toronto has been All-Star, he has weighed more than 20 points on average for several years and when he is aggressive, he can dominate any defender. Then, with his high level experience and the conquest of the title in 2019, with the Raptors.
“We brought in a champion, a player who has already known that, who worked to climb the ladder”recalls Myles Turner. “He was champion and MVP of the finals in G-League, then an All-Star in the NBA. He has known the ups and downs, has a title experience. When you have someone who has crossed trenches, who has already felt that, it's very important. There are a lot of emotions at this time of the season: you don't sleep anymore, you lose hair and you can't explain it if you haven't experienced it before. »»
Bennedict Mathurin confirms it, noting that his teammate “Is always the same, always calm, that we win or lose. He has already crossed all of this ”.
It is therefore for this reason that the Pacers set up this transfer 18 months ago. “When we brought him, we had a vision”indicates Tyrese Haliburton, speaking of the MVP of the conference final is 2025. “We imagined doing something unique like that. It's really special since he's there. He is like a big brother for me, someone I can trust, on which I can rely on, to whom I can talk to. »»
| Pascal Siakam | Percentage | Rebound | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | Lf | Off | Def | Early | PD | Fte | Int | COP | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 55 | 16 | 50.2 | 14.3 | 68.8 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 4.2 |
| 2017-18 | TOR | 81 | 21 | 50.8 | 22.0 | 62.1 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 7.3 |
| 2018-19 | TOR | 80 | 32 | 54.9 | 36.9 | 78.5 | 1.6 | 5.3 | 6.9 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 16.9 |
| 2019-20 ☆ | TOR | 60 | 35 | 45.3 | 35.9 | 79.2 | 1.1 | 6.2 | 7.3 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 22.9 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | 56 | 36 | 45.5 | 29.7 | 82.7 | 1.7 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 4.5 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 21.4 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 68 | 38 | 49.4 | 34.4 | 74.9 | 1.9 | 6.6 | 8.5 | 5.3 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 22.8 |
| 2022-23 ☆ | TOR | 71 | 37 | 48.0 | 32.4 | 77.4 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 24.2 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 80 | 33 | 53.6 | 34.6 | 73.2 | 1.7 | 5.3 | 7.1 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2023-24 * | Ind | 41 | 32 | 54.9 | 38.6 | 69.9 | 2.1 | 5.7 | 7.8 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 21.3 |
| 2023-24 * | TOR | 39 | 35 | 52.2 | 31.7 | 75.8 | 1.4 | 4.9 | 6.3 | 4.9 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 22.2 |
| 2024-25 ☆ | Ind | 78 | 33 | 51.9 | 38.9 | 73.4 | 1.7 | 5.2 | 6.9 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 20.2 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.
