Pacers beat Boston in Playoff Atmosphere
Photo by: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — When I started covering the Pacers for this website, it was in the back half of the 2013-2014 season. I was thrown right into the playoff fire as the Pacers were the No. 1-seed in the Eastern Conference that year, and in the midst of deep playoff battles each year with the Miami Heat. Paul George got hurt the following season and the Pacers haven’t won a playoff series since, despite making the post-season five times. The 2017-2018 season was special and gave Pacer fans some memories of old. The Covid year with Nate Bjorkgren came a few years later, which still feels like a weird dream that never happened. A few rebuilding years later… and we arrive at present day. The In-Season Tournament isn’t the playoffs, but it’s sure bringing those playoff memories back. On Monday night, the Fieldhouse felt like 2014 or 2018 again. Just listen to that crowd in the tweet below.
Will the players care about an in-season tournament? Will the fans care? I think those questions have been answered. When a Monday night game in December feels like the playoffs, you know it’s a win for the NBA. For the fans who don’t care about this tournament, I can only assume your team was already eliminated.
“I haven’t seen this place like this in three or four years,” said Myles Turner. “The energy in the building.. it never really died down. I think this city is really starting to rally around this team.”
I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle even said the word “Playoffs” when describing the game and atmosphere: “When the building starts rocking, when you’re at home in the playoffs, that’s when special things happen. It’s so important for our city, our franchise, and our players.”
Tyrese Haliburton continued his ascent into the national spotlight, putting together his first career triple-double on the big stage. For the game, Haliburton had 26 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds, and another night with zero turnovers. The rising superstar is leading the Pacers back to relevancy, guiding Indiana to a 5-0 record in the Tournament, and 11-8 overall this season.
“You don’t play on National TV if you don’t win games,” Haliburton said. “We want to change that. We want to change how this organization is viewed.”
Haliburton continued: “From the minute I got here there’s been a lot of love from this fan base. It really means a lot to me to represent Indiana. They put a lot of faith in me with my contract, but my teammates do as well. I’ve gotta step up to the moment. I just want to win.”
According to Synergy Basketball, Haliburton is scoring, creating, or assisting on 73 points per-40 minutes this season, which is on pace to break the NBA record. He is must-see television, and the nation is now getting a chance to see it for themselves.
The Pacers are now headed to Vegas and have made the “Final Four” of the Tournament. They’ll face the winner of Milwaukee/New York on Thursday for a chance to play in the Championship. Another word of advice: Get to Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season to watch Haliburton and this high energy Pacers offense. It’s starting to feel like 2014 or 2018 again in the building, and things should only get better from here.
