The Pacers are making history with their disastrous start to the season

It is certain that it is Pacers knew that the start of the season would be difficult. The absence of Tyrese Halliburton and the departure of Myles Turner could not but affect the group and the results. But did they imagine such a disaster, with so many injuries and failures? Probably not…

Last loss to the Raptors is seventh in a row, but also fifth in a row with a difference of more than 15 points. Rick Carlisle’s players exploded in the second half.

“The turnovers in the first half were a big problem. It gave juice, life to the Raptors. It’s the turnovers that turn into points for them. At one point, they scored four times in a row. It’s hard to get over it.” regret coach. “It was too easy for them. I don’t know how many times they managed to score a layup,” The works of Pascal Pascal. “Our defense in transition was bad. They got into the racket when they wanted to. We can’t win like this.”

That’s an understatement because Indiana’s players have a terrible record of just one win and 12 losses since the start of the season. That’s the worst start in their history, ahead of the Pacers’ 1-11 1988-89 season.

“We talk all the time about how our toughness and our vibe is like our superpower. We’re doing our best to keep that.”says Andrew Nembhard, when Rick Carlyle wants to applaud Pascal Siakam’s efforts. “I’m very impressed with Pascal, who continues to be a strong leader, who speaks. He does everything he can to help the players around him improve.”

Analogy with Bucks from 1974/75

This horrendous 1-12 record is not only the worst for an Indiana franchise, but also the record for an NBA finalist in the last 50 years.

To find a finalist in such trouble to start the next season, we have to go back to Milwaukee in 1974. The Bucks were coming off a Game 7 loss against the Celtics, and the offseason was lively.

Oscar Robertson was already retired. Then, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, after discreetly requesting his transfer for the summer of 1975injured his hand during the preseason. The pivot will therefore miss his team’s first 16 matches. Deprived of its two best players, this one after 13 matches starts with only one victory, like Indiana.

Even if the comparison isn’t always right, one player gone and another injured in Milwaukee in 1974, this clearly looks like the situation in Indiana in 2025… And even if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had returned to the contest on November 23, 1974, the Bucks would have ended up winning just 38 games and not been in the game.