Pacers losses drive Pascal Siakam crazy
Frustration is growing in Indianapolis. According to Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star, TJ McConnell already highlighted the investment of Pacers after losing to the Pelicans on Saturday night. But on Tuesday, after a 17-point loss to Milwaukee, Pascal Sakak an even more stark observation, nine minutes into Indiana’s sixth straight loss and a dismal record of 6-24…
“We played without any rhythm, without any determination”, the strong wing babbled. “It seemed like we were missing shots at times. We played without any strength. It’s hard to judge our attack because it gave the impression that we weren’t really trying…” And the Cameroonian makes a point: “We have neither rhythm nor desire in what we do. We act slowly. There is no energy. It is not nice to be in the middle of everything.”
The fall is all the more brutal because just six months ago, the Pacers were one game away from their first NBA title.
That all changed when Tyrese Halliburton tore his Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the Finals, and the season was then plagued by a series of injuries. The result: Indiana had to tinker, making “heavy” contracts for Jeremy Robinson-Earl, Garrison Matthews, Gabe McGlothan and James Wiseman.
“I’m obviously not the happiest man in the world”
Tyrese Haliburton is expected to be back to 100% for the start of next season, the backbone is still there and the franchise is headed for a high draft pick.
Except that for Pascal Siakam, this future remains far away: “I’m invested and I really, really, really hate to lose, so it’s not fun. It’s hard. I’m definitely not the happiest man in the world. Maybe I need to fix this… It shows on the court because I just can’t take it. It drives me crazy.”
Even if the down season would be quickly forgotten if the Pacers get a very good draft pick and come back strong next year with the return of Tyrese Haliburton, repeating losses wears us down and dulls competitiveness.
Pascal Siakam explains the feeling of less urgency in the locker room. And when we ask him if everyone works as much as he does? “I don’t know. The product is not good. We’re losing games. We all have to ask ourselves, ‘What can we do?’ Everyone must come with the desire to change something” he concludes.
| Pascal Sakak | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 55 | 16:11 | 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 | 20:44 | 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 | 31:51 | 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 | 35:10 | 45.3 | 35.9 | 79.2 | 1.1 | 6.3 | 7.3 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 22.9 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | 56 | 35:49 | 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 | 37:55 | 49.4 | 34.4 | 74.9 | 1.9 | 6.6 | 8.5 | 5.3 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 22.8 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 71 | 37:21 | 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 | IND | 41 | 31:47 | 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 | 34:43 | 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 | 10:40 p.m | 51.9 | 38.9 | 73.4 | 1.7 | 5.2 | 6.9 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 20.2 |
| 2025-26 | IND | 29 | 34:04 | 47.5 | 37.0 | 68.5 | 1.7 | 5.1 | 6.8 | 3.9 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 23.5 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2025-12-25 09:33:00
