During the 2023-24 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers emerged as one of the league’s top young teams, largely due to guard Tyrese Haliburton’s rise as a genuine star. His leadership fueled the Pacers’ dominant transition game, leading the league in points, assists, and field goal percentage, and ranking second in offensive rating.
Acquired in a trade with the Sacramento Kings in the 2021-22 season—a move that benefited both teams, with the Kings gaining star center Domantas Sabonis—Haliburton perfectly aligned with head coach Rick Carlisle’s vision of a fast-paced, fluid offense. Pacers GM Chad Buchanan emphasized that Haliburton’s selfless play elevated his teammates’ offensive effort, reshaping the team’s identity upon his arrival.
“Once we got him, immediately we changed the identity of how we played”
Pacers GM Chad Buchanan talks about Tyrese Haliburton’s impact on the organization with @TheFrankIsola and Ryan McDonough
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Despite a somewhat uneven start to the season, the Pacers bolstered their roster in mid-January by acquiring former All-Star forward Pascal Siakam. Finishing with a 47-35 record, Indiana secured the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and navigated a tough second-round series against the New York Knicks to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. However, they were swept by the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics, squandering a chance to steal Game 1 on the road.
Looking ahead, Indiana faces a more competitive Eastern Conference but anticipates a productive season with Siakam fully integrated after his recent max contract extension. The Pacers aim to build on their success and make further strides in the upcoming campaign.
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