Pascal Siakam Rejects Injuries as Excuse for Pacers’ 1-12 Struggles
Pascal Siakam recently expressed his disappointment with the Indiana Pacers’ struggles this season, emphasizing accountability amidst a challenging start. The Pacers faced a significant defeat to the Toronto Raptors, losing 129-111. This loss extended their record to 1-12, marking the worst 13-game start in the franchise’s history.
Significant Injuries Impacting Performance
The Pacers’ lineup has been severely affected by injuries. Notable absences include:
- T[y]rese Haliburton – Season-ending Achilles tendon tear
- Bennedict Mathurin – Injured
- Aaron Nesmith – Left knee sprain
- Obi Toppin – Injured
As a result, the Pacers have utilized nine different starting lineups in just 13 games. Siakam highlighted that while injuries are a significant hurdle, they cannot serve as an excuse for poor performances.
Defensive Struggles
Siakam noted the team’s lack of defensive effort. The Raptors scored 78 points in the paint and recorded a high number of easy transition baskets. Siakam expressed concern over their defensive shortcomings, stating, “You can’t win like that.” The Pacers currently allow an average of 138.0 points per game, placing them at the bottom of the league.
Offensive Challenges
On the offensive front, the Pacers faced additional difficulties due to missing key players. Although Siakam and Andrew Nembhard combined for 52 points, the rest of the team only managed 59 points. The remaining players shot poorly, going just 20 of 56 from the field, with only one other player scoring in double figures.
Call for Boldness and Fight
Siakam and Nembhard urged the team to adopt a fearless mentality moving forward. Nembhard stated, “We might as well play fearless and see where it lands us.” He believes that players should embrace their roles and not shy away from taking risks, especially as they navigate through this rough patch.
Conclusion: A Need for Improvement
Siakam emphasized the importance of fighting for their pride as a team. He pointed out that the Pacers are not living up to their potential, stating, “This is not who I want to be.” He called for a commitment to improvement and resilience, stressing that the fans and the franchise deserve better.
As the Pacers continue to face adversity this season, Siakam’s message resonates: there should be no excuses, only the determination to honor their gifts and improve, regardless of their current record.
