Indiana Pacers: Reasons for Hope in the near future?
The Indiana Pacers are going through a 13-game losing streak, the longest in the league, but the arrival of Ivica Zubac and draft prospects offer reasons for optimism for next season.
Photo Credit : © Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
The Indiana Pacers are currently experiencing their worst nightmare with a 13-game losing streak, the longest in the NBA this season. All power rankings unanimously place the team in last position, but there are reasons to be optimistic about the future.
Indiana hasn’t won a single game in over a month 😳
The Pacers are now 15-52, nearly one year after making the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/rCuOGfCFM8
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 14, 2026
Encouraging Performances Despite the Losses
Despite this losing streak, the Pacers have shown encouraging signs in their recent games. The team led with double-digit advantages in two of their four games last week, notably with a 20-point lead against Sacramento in the third quarter on Tuesday. However, they remain winless (0-13), with six of these 13 losses coming against other bottom-tier teams.
The absence of Pascal Siakam during the last four games has prevented seeing the Pacers’ new frontcourt at full strength. This situation could change in the coming days, finally offering the opportunity to evaluate the potential of this revamped lineup.
Zubac’s Arrival and Future Prospects
The main trade deadline acquisition, Ivica Zubac, has finally made his debut with the Pacers and has played in the team’s last three games. Although the losses have continued, the Pacers see Zubac as a key element to becoming competitive again next season.
The young rookies aren’t yet providing the expected help. Jones shows a solid assist-to-turnover ratio (2.8 assists to 0.9 turnovers per game) but hasn’t yet found the key to contributing on the scoring end. Peter, on a two-way contract, hasn’t shot well during his limited minutes.
This catastrophic season, triggered by the loss of Tyrese Haliburton for the entire season, could nevertheless result in a high pick in this year’s particularly promising NBA draft. The Pacers’ hope is to secure a top-4 first-round pick and select a player capable of partnering with Zubac, Siakam and Haliburton to bring the team back to the top of the Eastern Conference standings next season.
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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