With the signing of Quenton Jackson to a regular contract, the Pacers’ roster now stands at 15 standard contracts. The team does now have an open two-way contract spot with rookie Taelon Peter and second-year guard Ethan Thompson also on two-way contracts.

Jackson has played a key role for the Pacers this season, appearing in a career-best 30 games, including 10 starts, at a little over 17 minutes per game. He’s been averaging a career-high 9.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists with splits of 48.9 percent shooting from the field, 40.5 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 81 percent shooting from the free-throw line. His field goal percentage and 3-point percentage are also career-highs.

After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Jackson caught on with the Washington Wizards during training camp. He did not make the final roster, but he returned to the team later in the 2022-23 season on a two-way contract. Jackson’s next stop in the NBA was with the Chicago Bulls ahead of the 2023-24 season, but he was waived before the start of the year.

He was playing in the G League when the Pacers first signed him to two-way contract during the second half of the 2023-24 season. The Pacers re-signed him to a two-way contract following that year, and he’s been with the team ever since.

The post Pacers sign two-way player to 3-year contract appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Pascal Siakam’s injury status vs. Hornets 

Toppin is trending towards a return against the Hornets on Thursday. The forward, who played a crucial role in the Pacers’ Finals run last season, missed all but two games of the season after suffering a stress fracture in his foot. Barring a sudden setback, Toppin should suit up for the Pacers tonight against the Hornets.

Meanwhile, Siakam is unlikely to play against the Hornets. Named as an All-Star this season, the Pacers star suffered a wrist injury that kept him out against the Philadelphia 76ers two days ago. Given his “doubtful” tag, it’s unlikely that Siakam will suit up for the Pacers.

Siakam has been a force to be reckoned with this season. Despite the Pacers sitting in last place this season, the forward earned an All-Star nod: a testament to his excellence. Siakam is averaging 23.9 points per game on 48.3% shooting from the field (37.3% from three-point range), and is adding 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. The forward has been one of the few bright spots for Indiana this season.

As for Toppin, the forward hasn’t played since the second game of the Pacers’ season after suffering a stress fracture. Toppin became a fan favorite in Indiana after he played a crucial role off the bench in the 2025 postseason. His contributions as a bench sparkplug helped propel the Pacers to coming just a game short of winning the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Pacers injury report

Furphy, Johnny – Out (Torn Achilles)
Haliburton, Tyrese – Out (Torn Achilles)
Jackson, Quenton – Questionable
Nembhard, Andrew – Questionable (Lower Back)
Nesmith, Aaron – Out (Ankle)
Peter, Taelon – Questionable
Siakam, Pascal – Doubtful (Wrist)
Thompson, Ethan – Questionable
Toppin, Obi – Questionable (Foot)
Zubac, Ivica – Out (Ankle)

Hornets injury report 

Evbuomwan, Tosan – Out
Hall, PJ – Out
McNeeley, Liam – Out (Ankle)
Reeves, Antonio – Out
Salaun, Tidjane – Out

The post Pacers star Pascal Siakam’s injury status for possible Obi Toppin return vs. Hornets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Obi Toppin, the Pacers forward who instantly became a fan favorite when he arrived to the Indiana Pacers in a trade with the New York Knicks, has missed the last 56 games due to a stress fracture in his right foot. Toppin has appeared in just three games so far this season, playing two full games to open up the year before suffering the stress fracture in the team’s third game of the season.

After missing the last 56 games across 123 days, the Pacers forward has a chance to return to the team’s lineup on Thursday night when the team takes on the Charlotte Hornets. Obi Toppin has been upgraded to “Questionable” with the right foot stress fracture, and appears primed to make his return to the court soon.

In addition to Toppin, the Pacers have also listed Andrew Nembhard as, “Questionable, Pascal Siakam as, “Doubtful,” and Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac, Johnny Furphy, and Tyrese Haliburton as, “Out,” due to various injuries.

If Toppin’s return doesn’t happen on Thursday night against the Hornets, his next chance to play will be Sunday, March 1st against the Memphis Grizzlies

The Pacers have one of the worst records in basketball right now at 15-44, bottom of the East and second worst in the NBA. At this stage in the season, the Pacers are positioning themselves to land a high draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The lottery in May will determine a lot for the franchise, however, as the Pacers did trade their 2025 first round pick protected picks 1-4 and 10-30. So if the Pacers land anywhere from 5-9, the pick will convey to the LA Clippers, who received the pick along with a 2029 unprotected first, Bennedict Mathurin, and Isiah Jackson in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown.

In his three seasons with the Pacers, Obi Toppin has averaged 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 54.7 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three.

The post Obi Toppin nearing return after missing 123 days with stress fracture appeared first on ClutchPoints.

McConnell recorded a steal and took off on an uncontested breakaway late in the first quarter. It initially looked as if he might dunk the ball, but he went for the layup instead. The 33-year-old stopped suddenly and appeared to grab at his leg, making light of the entire sequence. He sported a big smile on his way back up the court, and the bench did the same.

TJ McConnell got a flat tire on this transition layup attempt and faked out the Pacers bench by grabbing at his hamstring pretending to be injured pic.twitter.com/HUT9sK6Xel

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 25, 2026

The Pacers currently reside in last place in the Eastern Conference, but they are still managing to stay upbeat amid all the on-court misery. McConnell has more than a decade of NBA experience under his belt and has been with Indiana since the 2019-20 season, so he likely takes it upon himself to keep locker-room morale at a satisfactory level. Leadership can take many forms, including self-deprecation.

The undrafted talent out of Duquesne and Arizona provided the Pacers with a good chuckle, and laughter can be quite therapeutic when a squad is stuck in the basement. The organization is more than willing to stack losses while Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and others recover, especially if it means securing a top-five pick in a lauded draft class, but getting beat down on a regular basis is bound to take a toll on players.

TJ McConnell is doing his part to keep the Pacers grounded. The relentless, high-motor playmaker has multiple layers, but first and foremost, he is on the roster to bring energy. No. 9 certainly accomplished that mission with his “old-man” layup.

The post Pacers’ TJ McConnell fakes hamstring injury after transition layup appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now, the NBA has hit back at Carlisle’s harsh words with their own account of the events.

“Coach Carlisle’s description of the process that went into the decision to fine the Indiana Pacers is inaccurate. An independent physician led the medical review,” said a league spokespersonto Sam Amick. “… The Pacers confirmed that it had provided all of the information requested by the league, and the team reported that an interview with Coach Carlisle or a team physician wasn’t necessary.”

Clearly, Carlisle and the league front office are not on the same page as to what went down regarding Nesmith.

The NBA has been trying to crack down on tanking in recent weeks, also fining the Utah Jazz a hefty amount for sitting healthy players as teams try to secure the best draft picks that they can.

The 2026 NBA Draft class is widely considered one of the better in recent memory, and the process of teaming up a blue-chip prospect with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton next year is certainly an enticing one for the Pacers.

However, all things considered, it seems that there are more questionable tanking practices going on around the league than what’s happening in Indiana.

The post NBA calls Pacers coach Rick Carlisle ‘inaccurate’ after rant about $100,000 tanking fine appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“I put out a statement about it. I didn’t agree with it. There was a league lawyer that was doing the interview and unilaterally decided that Aaron Nesmith who had been injured the night before, he couldn’t hold the ball, should have played in the game, which just seems ridiculous and during the interview process, I was not on it but I heard details,” Carlisle explained, per a post on X by Kevin Bowen.

Rick Carlisle today opening up about the NBA’s $100,000 fine of the #Pacers:

Full interview here: https://t.co/1rrz1gO1Ja pic.twitter.com/MgjmZFEPsH

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) February 24, 2026

Carlisle then went into detail about how the NBA refused to consult the team’s doctors or the player himself.

“We asked them if they wanted to talk to the doctors, our doctors about it, because it was something that was documented by our doctors and trainers. They said no, they didn’t need to, they talked to their doctors who did not examine Aaron Nesmith. And we asked them if they wanted to talk to the kid. They said no, they didn’t need to,” he explained.

The reality of Nesmith’s physical condition paints a clear picture. The 26-year-old is officially expected to miss at least another week of action due to a right ankle sprain sustained in a recent loss to the Washington Wizards.

While Nesmith previously missed 19 consecutive games with a left knee sprain, he has been highly productive when healthy, averaging 13.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 33 appearances while logging 30 minutes a night. The lack of malfeasance by the Pacers is further supported by the fact that their biggest star in Tyrese Haliburton’s absence, Pascal Siakam, has also logged heavy minutes despite Indiana firmly out of playoff reckoning at 15-43.

Siakam has started 52 times despite the fact that the Pacers are unlikely to move from their 15th position on the Eastern Conference table.

The post Pacers’ Rick Carlisle rants about $100,000 tanking fine with Aaron Nesmith injury revelations appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Indiana currently sit in the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-43, one game back of the Brooklyn Nets, who have a 15-41 record. The only team worse than the Pacers right now are the Sacramento Kings, who have a 12-46 record.

With a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers coming up on Tuesday night, Pascal Siakam is listed as “doubtful” with a left wrist sprain. It’s the first time the Siakam has been listed with the injury in recent weeks as his availability alternates when active and inactive for the Pacers.

Siakam missed the first game out of the All-Star break due to personal reasons, and that was switched to a injury management of his left hamstring for the second game out of the break. He played in Sunday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, recording 30 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in 29 minutes of play in what was a 134-130 Mavs victory.

The Pacers have every incentive to lose as many games as possible for the remainder of this season. The Pacers traded their 2026 first round draft pick to the LA Clippers, with protections if it falls 1-4 or 10-30. So if the pick falls 5-9, it will convey to the Clippers in what is considered an absolutely loaded draft and potentially the best of all-time when it’s all said and done.

The pick was part of the package Indiana traded to the Clippers for Ivica Zubac. In the deal, the Pacers dealt Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and two first round picks to Los Angeles for the All-Defensive center in Zubac.

In 52 games played so far this season, Siakam is averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three. Siakam was named to his fourth NBA All-Star team this season despite the Pacers abysmal record, highlighting just how good he’s been.

The post Pascal Siakam picks up new injury before Sixers showdown appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Head coach Rick Carlisle noted that while the condition is painful and will keep Haliburton away from the team for up to three weeks, a full recovery is expected.

Without their primary playmaker, Indiana has struggled to a 15-43 record, currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Despite the challenging record, Carlisle highlighted the growth of young big man Jarace Walker as a bright spot, calling his recent double-double against the Wizards one of the true victories of this season.

Adding to the transition period, the organization is bidding farewell to a foundational member of its front office. According to a statement shared by Dustin Dopirak on X, the Pacers basketball operations team officially addressed the departure of Ryan Carr as he leaves to join the Indiana University staff.

The team expressed sincere thanks to Carr for his 25 years of tireless service and innumerable contributions to the organization. The Pacers noted that as Carr embarks on this new chapter with the Hoosiers, a program that holds great personal meaning for him and his family, they have no doubt he is the right person to lead the college program to success.

As the Pacers look toward the future and a potential high lottery pick, the development of players like Walker remains a priority.

While the veteran executive’s departure marks the end of an era in the front office, the franchise remains focused on stabilizing the team until Haliburton can return to serve as their offensive engine once again.

The post Pacers release statement after losing key executive to college ranks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“It’s a very painful thing. He will likely make a full recovery. “He was meeting us in D.C. and had some odd symptoms. It’s a unique case, a unique situation… but he’s always in a good mood, so he’ll get through it,” head coach Rick Carlisle said about Haliburton’s condition, per IndyStar.

Carlisle proceeded to communicate Haliburton’s importance to the team, claiming that for the Pacers, “trying to survive at a high level without a guy like that is extremely difficult.”
Indiana entered the week with a 15–43 record and only have one player, in the form of Pascal Siakam, averaging more than 20 points per game.

The Pacers have effectively been stripped of their offensive engine. Apart from Haliburton being the best playmaker on the team, he was also always capable of scoring from any range at any given point.

In his absence, Indiana has further lent into their ‘team-first’ system with Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard averaging around 17 points per game. While the latest diagnosis does not have any impact on Haliburton’s overall timeline, the 25-year-old is undoubtedly going through a painful period.

The Pacers are plump 15th in the Eastern Conference and on track for a lottery pick, and are likely already looking at the next season, with Haliburton also set to return. For the time being, they are traversing through a three-game losing streak and will take on the Philadelphia 76ers next.

The post Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton dealing with ‘painful’ shingles as he rehabs Achilles injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

To start things off, Cooper Flagg is on the injury report alongside several key Mavericks contributors, with the rookie forward ruled out due to a left midfoot sprain. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam headlines a lengthy Pacers report and is listed as questionable with left hamstring injury management, per the official injury report.

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Cooper Flagg, Pascal Siakam injury status vs. Pacers

Given Cooper Flagg is officially ruled out on the injury report, the expectation is Dallas will once again be without its No. 1 overall pick and primary offensive engine. Flagg has been the Mavericks’ most consistent performer this season, averaging 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds.

The rookie sat out the Mavericks’ recent 122-111 loss to Minnesota due to the same midfoot sprain. Without Flagg, and with Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II also sidelined, Dallas has been surrendering 117.4 points per game and will take some respite from the fact that even the Pacers are severely understaffed.

Siakam has been listed as questionable. He leads Indiana with 23.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and his potential absence comes alongside Tyrese Haliburton’s, who is already ruled out for the season with an Achilles tear.

However, both teams have plenty of other players also sitting out.

Mavericks injury report

Cooper Flagg: Out (left midfoot sprain)

Kyrie Irving: Out (left knee surgery)

Dereck Lively II: Out (right foot surgery)

Max Christie: Questionable (left ankle sprain)

Daniel Gafford: Questionable (right ankle injury management)

Caleb Martin: Probable (left ankle sprain)

Moussa Cisse: Doubtful (two-way)

Ryan Nembhard: Doubtful (two-way)

Miles Kelly: Probable (two-way)

Pacers injury report

Pascal Siakam: Questionable (left hamstring injury management)

Andrew Nembhard: Questionable (low back injury management)

T.J. McConnell: Questionable (right hamstring soreness)

Kam Jones: Questionable (low back soreness)

Micah Potter: Questionable (left ankle sprain)

Quenton Jackson: Questionable (two-way)

Taelon Peter: Questionable (two-way)

Tyrese Haliburton: Out (right Achilles tear)

Aaron Nesmith: Out (right ankle sprain)

Obi Toppin: Out (right foot stress fracture)

Johnny Furphy: Out (ACL tear)

Ivica Zubac: Out (left ankle sprain)

The post NBA news: Cooper Flagg, Pascal Siakam headline ridiculously long Mavericks-Pacers injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

After signing an endorsement deal with PUMA Basketball in 2024, Haliburton’s debut signature sneaker hit retailers in September 2025. The fresh silhouette, designed by sneaker mind and artist Salehe Bembury, first dropped in a “Hibiscus” pink colorway followed by a blue “Opal” ensemble shortly after. The PUMA Hali 1 most recently dropped in a neutral grey “Smoke” colorway, offering different looks for the versatile sneaker.

Following the theme of fruits and precious gemstones, this next dual-tone “Citrus” colorway combines a vibrant color palette with cool tones and balanced color combinations, something Bembury has made a point of in previous creations. In the next NBA season, we can definitely expect Haliburton to lace up this pair along with the Pacers’ yellow uniforms.

PUMA Hali 1 “Citrus” official look

A new PUMA Hali 1 appears in a citrusy color palette
Coming soon to PUMA ($130)

More info: https://t.co/xWTJPpC1Au pic.twitter.com/ihM7TqJped

— Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) February 20, 2026

Previously teased by Haliburton himself on social media, this pair arrives in a vibrant Orange/Yellow/Teal colorway. The uppers feature three shades of orange throughout several different panels, feeding into the textured pale green/yellow midsole. The treaded outsole features a greener shade of teal, accenting the Haliburton logos on the back heel and tongue.

All in all, we’ve seen more monochromatic looks in previous releases, but this release features a number of shades cohesively meshing together for what may be the best colorway of this shoe thus far. We’re still awaiting a hard release date, but official retailer images from PUMA indicate something on the very near horizon.

The PUMA Hali 1 is available now through PUMA retailers for a standard $130. The shoes come in full family sizing and with three colorways currently out now, we should be expecting more drops throughout this season’s NBA Playoffs and the impending offseason.

What are your thoughts on Tyrese Haliburton’s signature sneakers?

The post Tyrese Haliburton adds new PUMA Hali 1 colorway appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Despite the 112-105 loss to the Wizards, Indiana has some positive takeaways from the contest, including the play of Jarace Walker. The former Houston Cougars star power forward paced Indiana against Washington with 19 points and 13 rebounds. While he shot just 5-for-15 from the field, he was 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. Walker added seven assists and two steals in 30 minutes of action.

Following the game, Walker earned praise from Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle, who deemed the player’s development as “one of the victories this season,” per Scott Agnes of Fieldhouse Files.

Granted that the Pacers don’t have a lot to celebrate in the 2025-26 NBA season, seeing Walker improve on the court gives Carlisle and the team something to feel good about.

It is also about time for Walker to translate his potential into raw numbers, as he is already in his third season in the league. In his first two seasons in the NBA, Walker, who was selected by Indiana eighth overall in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, averaged only 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per contest. He entered the Wizards game with season averages of 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds through 54 games.

Still, there is a big room for impovement for the 22-year-old Walker, including in his shot efficiency. He made only 40.4 percent of his attempts and posted a 49.3 effective field goal percentage in the first half of the season.

The post Pacers’ Jarace Walker gets glowing assessment from Rick Carlisle appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Pascal Siakam’s playing status vs the Washington Wizards

As previously mentioned, Pascal Siakam has officially been ruled out for Thursday’s game in Washington due to personal reasons. Siakam represented the Pacers during the NBA All-Star game over the weekend in Los Angeles as a member of the World Team, which was the first eliminated from the round robin tournament.

Joining Siakam on the injury report is TJ McConnell, who is questionable due to hamstring soreness, and Aaron Nesmith, who is also questionable due to a right lumbar sprain.

Meanwhile, the tanking Wizards will continue to sit both Anthony Davis and Trae Young for this one, while Alex Sarr is also out due to a hamstring strain.

Overall, the Pacers have been among the worst teams in the NBA this year, playing without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was injured in Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals series vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, going down with a devastating torn Achilles.

Many fans are now hoping that the Pacers will lose as much as possible down the stretch of this season in order to try to secure a top pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, which is projected to be one of the best in years.

Meanwhile, Indiana recently traded a treasure trove of assets to the Los Angeles Clippers for Ivica Zubac, who will remain out for Thursday’s game due to an ankle sprain, still having yet to make his Indiana debut.

In any case, the Pacers and Wizards are set to tip things off at 7:00 pm ET.

The post Why Pacers’ Pascal Siakam is missing first game after All-Star break appeared first on ClutchPoints.

But in that Game 7, star point guard Tyrese Halliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon that all but certainly left him out for the season. With the loss of Halliburton, the Pacers have struggled this season, sitting at 15-40 in the Eastern Conference, only a spot ahead of the Washington Wizards.

Recently, the NBA levied a $100,000 fine on the Pacers for a violation of the player participation policy on February 12. The fine was given because NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam and two other starters were held out of the game, even though an independent league investigation found that all three could have played, even if on reduced minutes. The Jazz ultimately won the game 131–122.

Carlisle spoke about the fine in a conversation with reporters after a Pacers practice on Tuesday in comments obtained by the IndyStar.

“I have no idea,” he said. “And really no comment on it.”

Carlisle was asked whether the team would change the way it manages player participation moving forward.

“We’re gonna manage our situation the way we need to do it. I’m so proud of the way that our players, organization and fans have approached an extraordinarily challenging season,” Carlisle said. “We have been very consistent with how we have approached everything this year, and the NBA is aware of that. Communication with the league office has been productive. We will move forward with the same emphasis on competitiveness and development that I talked about on media day, Sept. 29, 2025,” he said per the IndyStar.

Although the team has struggled this season, the Pacers have been competitive in several games, including a January 23rd victory over the Thunder and an overtime victory over the Knicks days before the All-Star break. The Pacers also made a major trade deadline move, acquiring former Clippers center Ivica Zubac, regarded as one of the best big men in the league.

But despite the team’s success, the NBA has cracked down on its enforcement of player participation. Along with the Pacers, the Jazz were also fined $500,000 for violating the player participation policy. The NBA also instituted a 65-game rule requiring players to play at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards and honors.

The Pacers play the first of a two-game stint against the Wizards tonight at 7 p.m.

The post Rick Carlisle’s statement on $100K tanking fine after initial ‘no comment’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It was a high price to pay — aside from the draft compensation — for a Pacers team that drafted Mathurin sixth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft and saw his scoring prowess on display nightly. As an athletic, three-level scorer, Mathurin should be able to fit in seamlessly onto a Clippers team that desperately needs his scoring punch.

“It’s been great so far,” Bennedict Mathurin said after his second practice with the LA Clippers on Wednesday afternoon. “You know, I think we have great guys on the team. Everybody is pretty familiar with my game. So it kind of helps a lot. I think that there’s still a lot more to do and still a lot more to learn with the system, offensively, defensively, and especially off the court as well.”

Bennedict Mathurin on practicing with his new Clippers teammates and his fit with them:

“It's been great so far. I think we have great guys on the team. Everybody is pretty familiar with my game. So it kind of helps a lot. I think that there's still a lot more to do and still a… pic.twitter.com/tFGIPdwUno

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 19, 2026

As great as he has been in his young career, Mathurin was also struggling to receive consistent playing time in Indiana. Whether it was because of Rick Carlisle’s system or simply the need for more catch-and-shoot abilities around Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton, Mathurin saw his minutes fluctuate over his last season with the Pacers.

Mathurin played under 15 minutes in nine of the Pacers’ 23 playoff games last season and eclipsed 30 minutes in a game just once over the entire postseason run. Now that he’s shifted to a new team with a bigger need for his scoring abilities, playing time isn’t something he foresees being an issue.

“I think it’s just about me being myself,” Ben Mathurin added. “I just feel like Ty Lue is going to give me the chance to really go out there and play my game without any restrictions. So, I think that’s the biggest, that’s the biggest jump is going to be for me, especially playing with with great players like Kawhi and [Darius Garland] and the rest of the guys on the team, which is going to allow me to short even more.”

Bennedict Mathurin came out of college touted as a high-flying, athletic scorer, and at 6-foot-5, has the ability to be a good defender. That end of the floor is something Mathurin is looking to prove he can do at a high level.

“I’d just say my aggressiveness. I think that [there are some] wrong narratives about me, that I can’t play defense. But people, the people that need to know I play defense, know that I play defense. So, just going out there and doing my job on that end of the floor and just being there for my teammates.”

The last two weeks for Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson have consisted of being traded from Indianapolis to Los Angeles, flying to L.A. to have physicals done, meeting the team in Minneapolis, but not debuting until the team reached Houston for a back-to-back set. Mathurin and Jackson then had the All-Star break to collect themselves before getting back to Los Angeles for practice on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of a back-to-back set on Thursday and Friday.

Bennedict Mathurin on what he wants to prove with Clippers:

“I think that just doing it on a nightly basis, just showing up to work every day. I think that the ability of being consistent here is definitely more realistic, just in terms of role, coming to a new setting. And the… pic.twitter.com/pvfsplSoe9

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 19, 2026

“It’s been a lot, man. Like you said, the past two weeks has been trade. It’s been an All-Star break, and then coming back over here. So, super, super grateful to really get going for the second half of the season.

“There’s no challenges at all [with the trade], man. Like I said, I’m super grateful to come and be in the NBA and play, so now it’s just about what I can do to go out there and just being the player that I want to be and the player that the team needs me to be in order for us to win so it’s just about living and learning.”

In 239 career regular season games, Bennedict Mathurin has averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 44.3 percent from the field. Mathurin was having a career season with the Indiana Pacers prior to the trade, averaging career-highs in points (17.8), rebounds (5.4), and assists (2.3).

The LA Clippers will kick off their post-NBA All-Star break schedule with a back-to-back set against the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. Bennedict Mathurin’s new team doesn’t leave the state of California for two weeks, with five home games and the only road games being at the Lakers and at the Warriors.

The post With LA Clippers, Bennedict Mathurin has something to prove appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With the festivities having come to a close, Siakam posted photos and videos on Instagram documenting his experience in his fourth time making it to the All-Star Game. And the Pacers star certainly enjoyed his experience with Team World even though they lost both of their games in excruciatingly close fashion.

Siakam received plenty of support on his latest post, including from his Pacers co-star Tyrese Haliburton, whose eventual return from the heartbreaking torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals is expected to vault Indiana back into the title picture.

“,” Haliburton wrote on the comments section, highlighting Siakam’s four All-Star appearances.

View this post on Instagram

Haliburton and Siakam have proven that they can raise their games when it matters the most for the Pacers, making them the perfect players to build a contending team around for Indiana.

Pascal Siakam, Pacers face rough gap year

Haliburton’s absence may draw most of the headlines, but the Pacers have been injury-ravaged on nearly all fronts that they never stood a chance to remain semi-competitive. Obi Toppin has missed plenty of time. So have Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard. Indiana started the season without TJ McConnell. Luck simply hasn’t been on their side this season.

Siakam’s All-Star nod at least helps cover for some of the sting of the rough gap year they’re experiencing. But next season, the Pacers will mean business, especially with Haliburton returning and Ivica Zubac now around.

The post Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton responds to Pascal Siakam’s post-All-Star message appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The sixth-ranked Cyclones went on a 17-2 run to close out the second half and shut the door on the second-ranked Cougars. Iowa State grabbed the lead, 66-65, with 2:22 left after Jamarion Batemon sank a three-pointer.

From there, they held down the fort, forcing Houston to tough shots and several turnovers en route to the gutsy win.

Haliburton took to X to hype up his former team.

“YESSSIIRRRR,” wrote the Pacers guard, adding three cyclone emojis.

Haliburton starred for Iowa State from 2018 to 2020, leading the program to the NCAA Tournament in 2019, although they were eliminated in the first round by Ohio State.

His second season with the Cyclones was cut short by a wrist injury and the COVID-19 pandemic. He finished his career at Iowa State with averages of 10.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.9 steals.

He has yet to play this season, as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury. While Haliburton has made strides in his rehabilitation, there is still no clear timetable for his return.

The Pacers have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 15-40.

In the meantime, he will continue cheering for the Cyclones, who improved to 23-3, including 10-3 in the Big 12.

It was a team effort for Iowa State against Houston, with Joshua Jefferson tallying 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists and Blake Buchanan and Nate Heise combining for 21 points and 10 rebounds.

They will battle 23-ranked BYU on Saturday.

The post Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton reacts to Iowa State’s massive Houston takedown appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Growing up in the Windy City, Obama watched Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls create a dynasty in the 1990s. To this day, even though the Bulls have struggled to reclaim their lost glory, Obama remains an avid follower of the NBA.

During the NBA All-Star Game, he was asked by Reggie Miller if he had a favorite memory from the Bulls’ dynasty. Obama, always quick-witted, had the perfect response.

“I always enjoyed watching us beat Indiana (Pacers),” said Obama, throwing shade at Miller’s team.

“Although I will say that nobody terrified me more than Reggie Miller with a possible three-point shot at the end of the game. You did push off Michael on that one play though.”

Reggie Miller: "Do you have a favorite moment during that time in Chicago during the '90s?"

Barack Obama: "I always enjoyed watching us beat Indiana." #NBA #NBC pic.twitter.com/rCzmUBNU90

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 15, 2026

Obama was referring to Game 4 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and the Bulls, wherein Miller buried the game-winning three-pointer. Miller shoved Jordan in their inbound play to get free and receive the ball. The Pacers tied the series, 2-2.

The no-call remains one of the most debated moments in NBA history. To some, it was a wily move by Miller at a crucial juncture, while others claim that it was a clear offensive foul.

The Bulls won the series, 4-3, and eventually captured their sixth title.

Now, is there a way to get Obama and Miller battle it out in a shooting contest at halftime in next year’s NBA All-Star Game?

The post Barack Obama takes hilarious jab at Reggie Miller during NBA All-Star Game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Tanking has become a hot topic going into the All-Star break, especially after the league fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 for intentionally taking out starters in the fourth quarter. Indiana got caught in the fray, getting a $100,000 fine for failing to properly report players who won’t take part in a game due to injury.

The league has been cautious about the tanking topic, trying to keep the integrity of the game intact. However, teams who know they aren’t competing this season yearn to get the best picks, which makes the losing games aspect more appealing as the season winds down.

Siakam revealed his thoughts on tanking during an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio. He believes he is putting forth all the effort he can throughout every game he’s played in this season, not understanding why the Pacers are getting punishments from the league.

“I don’t know where that comes from… I play almost every game, I have the most minutes,” Siakam said.

“I don’t know where that comes from… I play almost every game, I have the most minutes.”

Pascal Siakam says that he does not want to be in the ‘tanking’ conversations

(via @SiriusXMNBA)

pic.twitter.com/2xMpERlxfh

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 15, 2026

What lies ahead for Pascal Siakam, Pacers

Pascal Siakam has been active throughout the campaign, earning his fourth All-Star selection on the Pacers’ behalf. However, when it comes to tanking, Indiana has a reason to be in the tough situation they are in.

The Pacers were one win away from winning their first NBA title in franchise history. However, star guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles as it cost him and the team in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Haliburton is out for the entire campaign and Indiana suffered multiple departures and injuries in the main rotation. As a result, the Pacers won’t make the playoffs this season as they will need to regroup in a significant way to get back to playoff contention for the 2026-27 campaign.

Indiana has a 15-40 record on the season, sitting at 14th place in the Eastern Conference standings. They have a tiebreaker advantage over the Washington Wizards but trail the Brooklyn Nets by one game and the Milwaukee Bucks by nine games.

The Pacers remain on hiatus until the All-Star Weekend festivities come to a close. They will resume action on the road when they face the Wizards on a back-to-back on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. ET and Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. ET.

The post Pacers’ Pascal Siakam claps back at tanking claims: ‘I play almost every game’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Silver says the NBA is exploring every measure in hopes of mitigating teams from intentionally losing games to improve its odds in the upcoming draft, including taking away future draft picks.

“There is talk about every possible remedy now to stop this behavior,” Silver replied.

"There is talk about every possible remedy now to stop this behavior."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the possibility of stripping teams of draft picks instead of issuing fines pic.twitter.com/q9f45Xj0rd

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

The Jazz benched two of their top players in Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarters of a 120-117 loss to the Orlando Magic and a 115-111 win against the Miami Heat. In a 131-122 win, the Pacers removed Pascal Siakam in the fourth quarter.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver will continue to monitor teams’ approaches with the Jazz and the Pacers as two examples of what can happen to other NBA teams for tanking.

Jazz owner Ryan Smith responds to NBA fine

Jazz owner Ryan Smith responded to the hefty $500,000 fine on social media, calling out the NBA’s decision while pointing out his team’s recent win against the Heat. Despite the Jazz victory, the association still fined Utah for benching its star players in its narrow four-point win against the Heat, to which Smith replied on his X, formerly Twitter.

“Agree to disagree … Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense …” Smith said. “The results-oriented reply is surely producing scoffs around the basketball-watching world. Utah’s victory this past Monday is more of an indictment on the Heat rather than a testament to its own efforts.”

"We won the game in Miami and got fined?"

Jazz governor Ryan Smith responds to his team's $500,000 fine by the NBA https://t.co/7YvIhAtcAl pic.twitter.com/x7vqrOMUGE

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 13, 2026

The Jazz has lost three of its last five games heading into the All-Star break.

The post Adam Silver makes feelings clear on tanking following Jazz, Pacers fines appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/0JFQpOnOmF

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 13, 2026

“Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement released by the NBA. “Additionally, we are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct.”

The Jazz were fined after two consecutive incidents over the last week. During their games against the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat, Utah was in a position to win the game. However, the team decided to bench stars Jaren Jackson Jr and Lauri Markannen in the final quarter despite the game still being close enough. The Jazz lost to the Magic despite leading by 17 points at one point and won against the Heat. The Jazz were fined $500,000 due to these incidents by the NBA.

On the other hand, the Pacers are being punished due to their actions in their game against the Jazz last week. Pascal Siakam did not play in said game, a 131-122 loss to Utah. However, the NBA determined that Siakam, as well as Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J McConnell, were all fit to play in some capacity. They have been fined $100,000 for their actions.

While tanking has been an unspoken standard in the NBA for a long time now, it’s been mostly done quietly without any fanfare. Fans have long complained about the practice, as it makes the games unenjoyable to watch, and watching a team do everything they can to lose is not a good product. However, most teams have at least made it subtle enough for the league to turn a blind eye to it. After these blatant displays, the league has decided that enough is enough.

The post Jazz, Pacers hit with hefty fines over NBA’s tanking problem appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With the score knotted at 110-110 with 17 seconds remaining, Jones salvaged a broken possession by draining a stepback three late in the shot clock. Indiana sealed the victory with a stop on the other end.

The most impressive aspect of Jones’ shot was the sequence that preceded it. Jones had turned the ball over on Indiana’s previous two possessions. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle praised the young guard for his short memory after his game-winning shot.

“He’s undaunted. He’s a confident kid. He just plays, and he always believes in himself. And he made the biggest shot in his life,” Carlisle said.

Jones started the game at point guard and finished the game with 11 points, two rebounds and six assists on 5-of-12 shooting in 31 minutes. To call his game-winning sequence unlikely would be putting it lightly.

Pacers rookie Kam Jones reacts to hitting game-winning during comeback vs. Nets

Jones, the No. 38 pick in June’s draft out of Marquette, has averaged 3.1 points on .414/.200/.500 shooting splits in just 11.9 minutes per game across 18 appearances this season.

Tuesday marked the first clutch minutes of his career. Further, he was 0-of-5 from three before draining the game-deciding shot.

“I was just thinking of responding to [my previous two turnovers]. That’s over with. I’ll deal with that, learn from that later. Right then, it’s let’s do what we gotta do to win,” Jones said of the closing sequence. “When I had the ball those last few seconds, I pretty much knew I was shooting a three. I hadn’t made any, but all my threes felt good all game. After my stepback, before I even went up and let it fly, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, this is good.'”

After trading their 2026 first-round pick, top-four protected, to the Los Angeles Clippers for Ivica Zubac, the Pacers will be highly motivated to tank the rest of the season. That should give Jones ample opportunity to prove his worth in Indiana’s backcourt during the coming months.

The 23-year-old is on a four-year, $8.7 million contract that features a team option in 2028-29.

The post Rick Carlisle praises Pacers rookie who hit ‘shot of his life’ to seal win over Nets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Jackson threw down an incredible poster dunk over Egor Demin during the second quarter of the come-from-behind victory.

QUENTON JACKSON ELEVATES FOR THE MONSTER ONE-HANDED SLAM pic.twitter.com/GL3ESBv0gF

— NBA (@NBA) February 12, 2026

Jackson’s highlight dunk quickly made the rounds on social media. The 27-year-old has been the Pacers’ biggest success story amid increased opportunities during an unexpected tanking season.

After brief stints with the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls, Jackson signed a two-way contract with Indiana at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. He saw limited opportunities last season.

However, with Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tear thrusting the Pacers into a gap year, the former Texas A&M star has broken out in a rotation role this year.

Quenton Jackson continues breakout season during wins over Knicks, Nets

Jackson has averaged 8.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists on .480/.407/.769 shooting splits in 15.9 minutes per game across 26 appearances with 10 starts.

The 6-foot-4 guard scored 24 points on 9-of-10 shooting during a Feb. 3 loss to the Utah Jazz. He followed that by posting 19 points, seven of which came in overtime, on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from three during Monday’s win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Jackson’s recent play may have kept him on the bench down the stretch of Tuesday’s win over the Nets. The Pacers made no secret of their tanking agenda in Brooklyn, resting Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and T.J. McConnell. Despite Jackson being a plus-5 in 19 minutes through three quarters, Rick Carlisle did not play him the entire fourth.

Indiana also kept Jarace Walker, who led the team in scoring with 23 points, on the bench for the final six minutes of the game. Kam Jones drained a go-ahead three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to give the Pacers the win.

Jackson is eligible to play one more season on a two-way contract. However, his production could lead the Pacers to convert him to a standard deal in the coming months.

The post Pacers’ Quenton Jackson throws down insane poster dunk during win over Nets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now, Myles Turner’s departure changed the Pacers’ priorities. Instead of holding steady and retaining their core, Indiana had to be aggressive on the trade market in their pursuit of a Turner replacement, and in their aggression, they landed Ivica Zubac — a nightly double-double threat who’ll feast on the open looks that Haliburton will create for him.

The Pacers may have only made one trade prior to the deadline, but this was a blockbuster move that is sure to affect how they perform for the next few seasons.

With their trade for Zubac all but final, how did the Pacers do prior to the deadline?

Pacers better be prepared to play differently with Ivica Zubac

For as much flak as Turner gets for bolting in free agency, he was a perfect fit on the Pacers’ pace-and-space system. As a long-time member of the team, Turner has learned how to play at a breakneck pace, all while having the necessary stamina to protect the rim and hit open shots.

Now, he was gassed by the NBA Finals, which explains why his play dropped off significantly against the Oklahoma City Thunder. But his departure was a huge loss for Indiana, and a huge reason for why they haven’t even been a respectable team this season. Jay Huff and Micah Potter have shown flashes of being serviceable, but they’re not starting-caliber big men, and the Pacers knew it.

The Pacers have long expressed their desire to acquire a starting center, and Zubac, who’s only 28 years of age, fits their timeline of contention. Zubac is one of the best defenders at the center spot, and he’s one of the rare players who can hold his own against Nikola Jokic and other post-up brutes — making him quite the valuable asset.

However, Indiana will have to prepare to play differently now that Zubac is their starting center until 2028. For starters, Zubac is nowhere near the floor-spacer Turner was for the team. He has literally just made one three in his entire career thus far, and while his jumpshot has looked good at times, it will be quite the surprise if he somehow channels his inner Brook Lopez and becomes a floor-spacer in the latter half of his career.

Zubac has indicated that the Pacers are asking him to spot up from the corner more often and that Indiana is looking at him to expand his range, with the 28-year-old center saying that he may have to get used to standing in the corner instead of the dunker’s spot where he’s grown accustomed to.

Perhaps a drastic mid-career adaptation would suit Zubac best in a Pacers uniform. But Indiana has to know that Lopez was an anomaly, not the norm in any capacity. Zubac is at his best near the basket, and he’s at his best when he gets touches off of pick-and-rolls as well as post-ups in the center of the paint.

The good news is that Haliburton will know how to work best with Zubac; that’s just his power as one of the best floor generals in the association. And Zubac gives them something that they didn’t have when Turner was on board — greater rim pressure.

Turner was never the best finisher around the hoop, nor was he the best vertical threat. Zubac has exquisite touch around the basket, and his partnership with James Harden made him look like a million bucks. When the going gets tough, Zubac can bully the smaller and skinnier big men in the league, including Chet Holmgren, and could force other teams to play non floor-spacing big men just to combat his physicality in the paint.

Some would bring up how Zubac is a worse defender in space than Turner was. But Pacers fans would be quick to remind everyone that Turner was never the fleetest of foot to begin with.

Zubac is an exceptionally good fit for the Pacers and he solves their center woes. But bringing him in did not come cheap.

Zu costs Indy a potential top-five pick as well as Bennedict Mathurin

Mathurin has long been rumored to be available on the market, and the Pacers finally pulled the trigger on a trade. He simply did not fit the trajectory of the Pacers franchise, and he was up for a new contract. It was smart for Indiana to turn a young player with potential, like Mathurin, into a proven center like Zubac knowing that they weren’t keen on paying him big money on a long-term extension anyway.

Isaiah Jackson was solid for spurts, but he didn’t exactly differentiate himself among the Pacers’ ragtag group of centers.

The Pacers’ major gamble came in the form of trading away their 2026 first-round pick, which they protected for selections 1-4 and 10-30. They are basically saying that they do not care about the prospects who will get drafted in the 5-9 range enough that it’s better for them to lose that pick if it falls in that range instead of losing out on Zubac.

This suggests that the Pacers view Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Caleb Wilson as no-brainer selections, and that Zubac was the better consolation prize than losing out on any of those four.

If the Pacers’ 2026 first-round pick falls in the protected range, the Clippers will get an unprotected pick of theirs in 2031. This is a wise move for the Pacers, again, since they’re not truly sold on the prospects outside the top four and that they’re better off bringing someone who fits their contending timeline in like Zubac.

Giving up the 2029 first-round pick along with everything else, however, feels like a very steep price to pay. But Zubac has one of the best contracts in the NBA (a total of around $42 million for the next two seasons), and it’s hard to fault the Pacers for having this much belief in their core considering the heights they reached when Haliburton was healthy.

Pacers’ trade deadline grade: A-

The post Pacers 2026 NBA trade deadline grade after last-minute Ivica Zubac stunner appeared first on ClutchPoints.

League sources confirmed the Raptors’ strong push for Kessler, per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

“In addition to talking with the Kings about Sabonis and the Grizzlies about Jackson Jr., the Raptors also made a very strong push the day of the trade deadline for Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz, league sources confirmed to ClutchPoints,” Siegel reported.

“Multiple first-round picks were offered by the Raptors for Kessler, who is out for the season after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder, yet the Jazz held zero interest in trading their young big man.”

The Pacers also reportedly also expressed interest in Kessler before pivoting to Zubac.

“Other teams, including the Pacers before landing Zubac, showed heavy interest in trading for Kessler,” Siegel added. “The Jazz are fully expected to retain Kessler as a restricted free agent in the summer on a new long-term contract. After trading for Jackson Jr., Utah sees itself having a formidable big-man trio that can do damage defensively during the 2026-27 season.”

Kessler complements a dynamic frontcourt duo led by 2023’s Defensive Player of the Year, Jaren Jackson Jr., and the Jazz’s leading scorer, Lauri Markkanen.

Jazz reportedly turned down 2 unprotected first-round picks

The Jazz reportedly turned down the Pacers’ trade offer for Walker Kessler, which included two future first-round picks. Perhaps an offer similar to the one the Clippers received for Ivica Zubac, which included two future first-round picks and one second-round pick.

The Jazz turned down the Pacers’ trade offer ahead of the deadline, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.

“Sources: Indiana Pacers made a run at Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and offered a package highlighted by two unprotected first-round picks,” Haynes reported. “It was declined, and Pacers pivoted to Zubac. Kessler will be in demand as a restricted free agent this summer.”

Kessler seems to be a big part of the Jazz’s future.

The post NBA rumors: Raptors joined Pacers in offering multiple 1st-round picks for Walker Kessler appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With Tyrese Haliburton, Ivica Zubac and Obi Toppin already sidelined, the Pacers ruled out Pascal Siakam (left hamstring soreness), Andrew Nembhard (low back injury management), Aaron Nesmith (low back soreness) and T.J. McConnell (light hamstring soreness) vs. the Nets. Micah Potter (left ankle sprain) is questionable.

Depending on Potter’s status, Indiana will have eight available players on Wednesday: Ben Sheppard, Quenton Jackson, Kam Jones, Jarace Walker, Jay Huff, Kobe Brown, Taelon Peter and Ethan Thompson.

The Nets will be without Michael Porter Jr. (right knee tendinitis), while Nic Claxton (right hip soreness) is doubtful.

Pacers resting nearly entire rotation during tank matchup vs. Nets

The Pacers enter Wednesday’s matchup two games ahead of the Nets for second place in the draft lottery standings. Their lengthy injury report will add to concerns about the NBA’s tanking problem.

The Washington Wizards similarly rested nearly their entire rotation vs. Brooklyn on Saturday. The Sacramento Kings are doing the same on Wednesday vs. the Jazz. Meanwhile, the Jazz benched their top two players, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., for the entire fourth quarter of their last two games.

Indiana, Washington and Utah each owe their 2026 first-round pick to other teams with protections. The Pacers traded their 2026 first-rounder protected 1-4 and 9-30 to the Los Angeles Clippers for Zubac at the deadline. Meanwhile, the Wizards owe their pick top-8 protected to the Knicks and the Jazz owe their pick top-8 protected to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Following Tuesday’s win, the Pacers’ chance of keeping their first-round pick dropped to 44 percent, according to ESPN.

The post Pacers going full tank mode vs. Nets after beating Knicks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Simmons believes it isn’t a coincidence that the same coach who’s helped Tatum and Haliburton throughout their respective careers has seen two of his clients sustain ruptured Achilles injuries, he said on The Ringer’s Bill Simmons podcast.

“How about like the footwork shooting coaches, and I don’t have to name them, but how come certain clients of certain shooting coaches seem to have lower leg injuries all the time? “It’s because they’re putting too much stress on their lower legs,” Simmons said. “Tyrese Hailiburton and Jayson Tatum shouldn’t be blowing out their Achilles at age 26, 27, it’s ridiculous.”

Without Bill Simmons wanting to name names, he clearly is pointing to Drew Hanlen as the culprit. Hanlen has worked with NBA players such as Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers’ Bradley Beal, Sacramento Kings’ Zach LaVine, and Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro.

While Tyrese Haliburton is expected to sit for the entire 2025-26 season, Tatum could return before the end of the regular season.

Jayson Tatum hasn’t yet decided on his return to Celtics

Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum hasn’t decided if he’s coming back this season. Despite the encouraging update of Tatum joining the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, he revealed that it doesn’t mean his return this season is final.

“It doesn’t mean I’m coming back or not,” Tatum said.

In his first time speaking to the media since October, Tatum says nothing’s promised as he’s still trying to figure out what’s next in his road to recovery.

“Still trying to figure it out. Still just going through the progressions of rehab,” Tatum added. “Not saying that I’m coming back or not. It’s all about being healthy and going through the plan.”

“I feel a little bit better today than I did yesterday – the physical, conditioning, trusting it, every day I feel a little bit better,” Tatum continued. “More conditioning, more live things. Getting acclimated to playing 5-on-5 and contact.”

The Celtics will host the Bulls on Wednesday.

The post Bill Simmons blames coach for Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton injuries appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Coach Brown says the Knicks, including All-Star Jalen Brunson, got clean looks in overtime but were unable to capitalize and fell short, he said, per SNY TV’s Ian Begley.

“I thought Jalen down the stretch had some pretty good looks. He got to his spot. Or he got to the spots that he normally gets to. He just came up short. But we got the ball where we needed to get the ball, and we got the looks that we wanted to look for during that time. Sometimes they just don’t go in, and tonight was one of those nights.”

While Mike Brown watched the Knicks end the night shooting at a 50% clip, they went 14-for-46 from deep, including 2-for-5 in overtime against the Pacers. Brunson’s 40 points led five starters in double figures, including Mikal Bridges’ 22 points, and Towns’ double-double (22 points, 14 rebounds).

Karl-Anthony Towns on clutch free throws for Knicks

Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns broke down his clutch free throws that sent the Pacers into overtime in Tuesday’s loss. Amidst his second season with the Knicks, the clutch moment is an unforgettable one at Madison Square Garden, Towns said, per SNY.

“It’s cool. It’s the kind of moment you live for, you know, being at MSG, with the game in your hands, and you’re able to do something to give your team a chance to win,” Towns said.

“It was really cool. It was a moment I was definitely hyped for. I got really excited for it. I was ready to go up there and make those shots for our team.”

"It was really cool. It was a moment I was definitely hype for. I was ready to go up there and make those shots for our team"

Karl-Anthony Towns on hitting both free throws to send the game into overtime tonight: pic.twitter.com/i9IXJef9vV

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 11, 2026

The Knicks will face the 76ers on the road on Wednesday.

The post Knicks’ Mike Brown isn’t sweating shooting struggles in Pacers loss – ‘One of those nights’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Porter missed Monday’s 123-115 win over the Chicago Bulls due to his knee ailment. While he suffered a minor MCL sprain in the same knee last month, Jordi Fernandez said his tendinitis is unrelated.

“It’s the same knee, but it’s unrelated. Tendonitis is something that athletes deal with in different parts of the body,” the coach said. “It’s gonna be good for him to take this game, see how he feels and get him back feeling great… Nothing to be concerned about. A lot of guys deal with tendonitis, but I think it’s good that Mike can focus on his body now.”

Jordi Fernandez said Michael Porter Jr.'s tendonitis is in the same knee that he suffered his MCL sprain but is unrelated:

“Tendonitis is something that athletes deal with in different parts of the body. It’s gonna be good for him to take this game, see how he feels and get him… pic.twitter.com/Fkb4rZJrAN

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) February 10, 2026

Claxton was not on Brooklyn’s initial status report before the team downgraded him to questionable. Clowney made it through the last game with no evident ankle issue.

Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton land on injury report for Nets-Pacers tank-fest

The Nets have fallen to fifth in the draft lottery standings following two straight wins. Wednesday’s matchup will have significant implications for the NBA’s tank race.

The Nets will face a Pacers team on the second night of a back-to-back following an upset win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Brooklyn enters the game two games behind Indiana for second place in the draft lottery standings. A loss on Wednesday would bring them within a game of the top three spots.

The Pacers played most of their rotation during their win over the Knicks. Given their proximity to the Nets in the lottery standings and their first-round pick being owed top-four protected to the Los Angeles Clippers, they’re likely to rest numerous players on Wednesday.

The post Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. ruled out, Nic Claxton questionable for tank matchup vs. Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Even in their losses, though, the Pacers have remained competitive over the course of the season. They’ve had multiple games this season where they overcame the odds and upset a top contender in the NBA. The Pacers did that again this Tuesday against the New York Knicks, bringing the team to overtime.

The Pacers’ upset bid was completed in overtime after surviving the Knicks’ last stand. Indiana earned their opponent’s respect, as evidenced by Knicks guard Jalen Brunson’s comments after the game.

“I mean, regardless of what the record is, they’re great,” Brunson said after the game. “Great coach. They do everything well. They play hard. They played to the last second, so those qualities that they have, they’re going to play every single night, regardless of what the record is.”

Losers of four straight games coming into the matchup against the Knicks, the Pacers came out guns blazing against the Knicks. In their rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals, Indiana did what they do best: distribute the wealth. Eight different players scored more than ten points during the game, led by Pascal Siakam’s 30 points and Andrew Nembhard’s 24 points.

It was a fierce contest between the two teams. There were 39 lead changes throughout the game as both teams battled for supremacy in their game. Despite 40 huge points from Brunson, though, the Knicks were unable to pull away, losing to the last seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Pacers will continue their road trip with a game against the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow. While a playoff appearance seems unlikely at this point, the team continues to fight and get ready for next season.

The post Jalen Brunson gives props for Pacers after OT win: ‘They play hard’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Pacers acquired Zubac, along with Kobe Brown, at the trade deadline via a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and three future draft picks.

Zubac will shore up Indiana’s thin frontline as soon as he returns to action, giving the team a legitimate presence in the paint and a double-double threat.

Knicks commentator Mike Breen heaped praise on the 28-year-old center during the broadcast, but NBA legend Walt Frazier could not help but clown the Pacers and Zubac for missing the game.

“It’s called tanking, folks,” said the Knicks analyst, eliciting a chuckle from Breen, as posted by BrickCenter on X.

Knicks announcer on Zubac not playing:

“It’s called tanking, folks.” pic.twitter.com/bE0LCeAhqB

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) February 11, 2026

The Pacers entered the game against the Knicks with a four-game losing streak and a woeful 13-40 record, the second-worst in the league.

Indiana has been hampered by injuries all season, with Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin still out, and Mathurin, Jackson, Andrew Nembhard, TJ McConnell, and Aaron Nesmith all missing time. On Monday, it was announced that Johnny Furphy is out for the season due to a torn ACL.

With the way things are going, the Pacers will end up in the lottery, giving them a good chance to get the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft, with AJ Dybantsa of BYU and Darryn Peterson of Kansas being tabbed as the top prospects.

The post Knicks legend clowns Pacers’ Ivica Zubac for sitting out: ‘It’s called tanking, folks’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While there are significant adjustments to be made on the part of Zubac as he embarks on a new journey in his pro career in the NBA, he is excited about what is in store for him on the court, especially once Tyrese Haliburton is back from an injury.

“I’m very excited that I’m on a team with a point guard like him,” the 28-year-old Zubac said about what he feels about the idea of playing alongside Haliburton (via Indiana’s X account).

“He’s probably one of the best in the league at what he does,” added the former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2016 NBA Draft.

Haliburton is not playing in the entire 2025-26 NBA season due to a devastating injury he suffered in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. It can be recalled that the former Iowa State Cyclones star tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Without Haliburton running the show on the court for them, the Pacers have become one of the worst teams this season, as Indiana only has 13 wins to show through 54 games. With the Pacers in a seemingly transitional campaign, there is no need for them to rush Zubac’s debut.

The 7-foot, 240-pound center is dealing with an ankle issue and has yet to make his appearance in Indiana colors since the team acquired him from the Clippers along with Kobe Brown in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and a mix of future draft picks.

The post What Pacers’ Ivica Zubac is most looking forward to in Indiana appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Ivica Zubac injury status vs. Knicks

Since acquiring him at the trade deadline, the Pacers have not been able to deploy Ivica Zubac, who continues to be held back by an ankle injury. Zubac, who has not played since Feb. 2, is officially listed as questionable, but he does not appear likely to make his debut any time soon.

While Zubac has yet to be downgraded on the official injury report, Indiana is already preparing to be without him for its next two games, a back-to-back against the Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Head coach Rick Carlisle said Zubac would not play in either game on an Indianapolis morning radio show on Tuesday, according to Rotowire.

Carlisle’s admission will keep Zubac out through the All-Star break. He should be ready to make his debut on Feb. 19, when the Pacers return to the road to face the Washington Wizards.

Without Zubac in the lineup, expect Jay Huff to earn two more starts before likely reverting to the bench. Carlisle has some frontcourt shifting to do in his starting lineup with Johnny Furphy suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Indiana’s loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, and Obi Toppin still out with a stress fracture. Backup center Micah Potter is also listed as questionable with a hip bruise.

The Pacers’ lack of frontcourt depth puts them in an interesting position against the streaking Knicks, who are 8-1 in their last nine games. Carlisle’s shorthanded team will have its hands full with Karl-Anthony Towns, who has enters the matchup with five consecutive double-doubles.

Pacers injury report

Johnny Furphy, OUT — Torn ACL

Tyrese Haliburton, OUT — Torn Achilles

Quenton Jackson, Questionable — G League

T.J. McConnell, Questionable — Right hamstring soreness

Aaron Nesmith, Questionable — Left hand strain

Taelon Peter, Questionable — G League

Micah Potter, Questionable — Left hip contusion

Ethan Thompson, Questionable — G League

Obi Toppin, OUT — Right foot stress fracture

Ivica Zubac, Questionable — Left ankle sprain

Knicks injury report

OG Anunoby, Questionable — Right toe soreness

Pacome Dadiet, Questionable — G League

Dillon Jones, Questionable — G League

Miles McBride, OUT — Pelvic core muscle surgery

Mitchell Robinson, OUT — Injury management

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The Clippers traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers the Tuesday before the NBA trade deadline, and Ivica Zubac was subsequently traded to the Indiana Pacers just one hour before Thursday’s deadline, marking a significant shift in the future of the franchise.

Harden made his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, where the Cavs took down the Sacramento Kings. After the contest, Harden spoke with members of the media to explain his side of NBA trade deadline week and how the trade out of Los Angeles came together.

“Life comes at you fast!” Harden joked first, before answering. “We just, I think it was just amazing for both sides. Like just being open and transparent with each other, I think it was the best move for both sides and I think it worked out for both sides very well. I’m sure they’re happy where they are and they got some young talent, they got a couple picks, and for me, just here with some great guys and ultimately trying to compete for a championship.

“It’s one of the best organizations that I’ve been in, top to bottom, from Steve Ballmer to Lawrence Frank and everybody else in the front office to all of the coaching staff, Tyronn Lue, Jeff Van Gundy, all of the coaching staff that helped me still become the player that I am. And then for my teammates, Kawhi [Leonard] for holding down, Big [Ivica Zubac], and all of the rest of the guys. I’m appreciative of the opportunity and I would never take it for granted.

Led by James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers had run off 17 wins over a 21-game stretch since December 20th, the best record in the NBA over that span. But Harden and the Clippers clearly saw the potential for both sides to come out with a win in this trade deadline, and facilitated the deal that sent Harden to Cleveland and brought Darius Garland to Los Angeles.

The new Cleveland Cavaliers guard says he was informed that the trade was in discussions one week before the NBA trade deadline.

“Maybe about a week before?” Harden added. “Maybe about a week before, I was informed that the trade was a possibility and then I’m like, ‘Oh wow.’ But me and L. Frank had conversations about my contract not being guaranteed. Which I understand that part. There’s a part where if we’re not good enough, they’ve got to make decisions for their team. The opportunity came up and it was like, alright, I had to make a decision that was best for my family. I think both sides made the right decision. Credit to those guys. Much love to those guys. I hope for the best for them and much success. For the Cavs, I’m excited to be here and a bright future for us.”

Harden played a grand total of 195 of a possible 205 regular season games (95.1%) across his three seasons with the LA Clippers, averaging 21.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in those appearances. He set the franchise record for scoring with 55 points in the Clippers’ win against the Charlotte Hornets on November 22, 2025.

His time albeit short will be remembered fondly by those within the organization and fans alike.

“My job is to go out there and be a leader, be helpful, be encouraging to not only players, but staff members. We’re human. So it was just an opportunity to bond with people, understand them, what they go through in real life, and who they are as people, their families, their kids. That’s what it’s about. People from the outside looking it are like, ‘Oh, James gets traded and is making jokes, joking around, and saying things on social media.’ But in reality we all live a real life and we all got jobs to do. I feel like I did my job in the sense of leaving an impact on, maybe it’s one individual, maybe it’s a whole organization.

“Basketball is one thing. You try to win a championship, but it’s only one team that wins a championship. But you still can be a really good person throughout your time and wherever you are to people. Because you never know who’s having a bad day. You never know what stamp you can leave on somebody’s day or life. It was real love for me. Like I said, this is a business. This is my 17th year, so I understand that part of it, but life goes on and you’ve got to move on with it.”

In his debut with the Cavs, Harden recorded 23 points, two rebounds, and eight assists, including 15 points in the fourth quarter to help Cleveland hold off and defeat the Sacramento Kings.

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“Indiana Pacers swingman Johnny Furphy underwent an MRI today, which confirmed he has a torn right ACL,” HoopsHype reported. “Furphy, a key contributor who the organization is high on, has started 21 of 35 games for Indiana this season.”

Furphy exited the Pacers’ 122-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday with four points, three assists, and two rebounds in 14 minutes. He’s expected to miss the rest of the regular season. In only his second season with the Pacers, Furphy had averaged 5.1 points on 47% shooting, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 18.4 minutes per game this season.

With starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton out for the entire 2025-26 campaign due to a torn Achilles in Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals, Furphy took on an increased role for the Pacers.

Johnny Furphy expected to miss regular season for Pacers

While Tyrese Haliburton continues to make progress amid rehab, Johnny Furphy’s ACL injury will be the Pacers’ newest fixture on the injury report between now and the end of the regular season. He sustained the injury in the third quarter of the Pacers’ 18-point loss to the Raptors on Sunday.

Coming down from a dunk, Furphy landed awkwardly and needed help off the floor, per Pacers reporter Alex Golden.

Johnny Furphy was able to walk to the bench with help, but then was taken back to the locker room in a wheelchair. pic.twitter.com/uGzeQY0cCA

— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) February 8, 2026

It’s a devastating blow for the Pacers, as Furphy will miss the remaining games of the regular season and potentially part of the 2026-27 campaign.

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The Clippers traded Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers in the final hour of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, acquiring Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and a couple of potentially valuable draft picks in the process. The franchise had been refusing trade offers for their center for months, but offers from the Pacers gradually got more aggressive to the point where a deal was hard to turn down.

Head coach Tyronn Lue spoke with members of the media immediately after the trade deadline, breaking down what it was like to be in the Clippers practice facility when the franchise had to make the difficult decision to trade Zubac to the Pacers.

“I mean it was super tough,” Lue said. “I saw Zu grow from day one from not playing the fourth quarters to winning games down the stretch and being a big part of what we did offensively and defensively every single night. And so to lose a guy like Zu with his stature, what he stood for, even off the floor as a person, it’s tough. And a lot of people in the organization the other day was crying. It was a tough day for us, an emotional day. And you hate to see yourself lose a player like that. And so it was a tough day.”

Before tonight’s game, I asked Tyronn Lue about how tough it was to lose Ivica Zubac, a player he’s been with for seven years.

Lue: “Super tough. I saw Zu grow from day one … A lot of people in the organization yesterday was crying. It was a tough day for us. Emotional day.” pic.twitter.com/S0ztiHb14s

— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) February 7, 2026

Lue has watched Zubac grow from a reserve who struggled to get on the floor in fourth quarters to an All-NBA and All-Defensive caliber player in a few short years, highlighting his incredible development in the league.

Ivica Zubac was named to the All-Defensive Second Team and finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting during the 2024-25 regular season. It was a huge acknowledgement to his development as a player and the ability to lead a team, as the Clippers surprised everyone by winning 50 games last season.

In 80 appearances last season, Zubac averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 62.8 percent from the field.

“The process is going to be hard, understandably, when you lose a great guy like Zu,” Lue added. “He was the longest-tenured guy on the team. so when you lose him, you lose James, you lose Kobe who’s been here for three years, it’s tough. I can’t speak for those guys in the locker room, but I know its tough on them, but you still got to be professional, you’ve got to do your job, no matter what the circumstances are.

“Lawrence Frank was telling the truth. He didn’t want to let Zu go. He didn’t. Neither did any of the coaching staff, but as the deal got better and better, it was good for our future and what we can do now, we had to make those decisions. It’s tough, but we gotta get through it.”

The Clippers had gone 17-4 since December 20th, easily the best record in the league. The 6-21 start was a thing of the past and many believed the Clippers could make a legitimate play-in or even playoff push with how well they’ve been playing.

But the trade sending out James Harden and Ivica Zubac will make things more difficult as the team tries to incorporate three new players into the rotation while managing the foot injury of Darius Garland’s.

“We’re still going to play to win games and be competitive. Getting Garland back when he’s ready to go, that’s the most important thing. But we still can win games, we can compete at a high level, and when you trade two of your three top players, it seems like it’s a tough path but we’ve been through tougher. So we’ve got to be able to come out every single night, compete at a high level, and let the chips fall where they may. Our guys in the locker room believe they can win, and that’s the biggest thing.”

Tyronn Lue and the Clippers have gotten the post-trade deadline stretch off to a strong start, with two wins over the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson joined the team in Minneapolis and are expected to make their debuts tomorrow when the Clippers face the Houston Rockets.

Darius Garland, meanwhile, remains out with what the Clippers are calling left toe injury management. The former Cleveland Cavaliers guard underwent surgery on his left toe in the offseason, and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank said the team will continue to manage the soreness in his foot in order to ensure the best future for himself and the franchise.

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The moves sent shockwaves throughout the league, given how many teams who had been calling the Clippers for months about trading for their best players only to be rebuffed.

It now means that Kawhi Leonard is the longest tenured Clipper and sort of the “last man standing” from the last couple of years.

After the Clippers’ game against the Sacramento Kings, Leonard spoke with members of the media, where he broke down just how he felt after the trade of Ivica Zubac.

“I believe he was probably about 20 or 21 years old when I first got here,” Kawhi Leonard said. “He was maybe in his third year in the league, so he just kept working and over time he got to the guy that stayed in the fourth quarter and hold down the fort for us in the paint. Also got very skilled in the post, causing double-teams on the mismatch or on guys his size. He had a great development, he’s playing well, and he’ll still have a chance to win in Indiana when Tyrese gets back and they get their whole group in full. It’s not the worst, I told him, so just enjoy his child and he’ll have a chance to play for a championship.”

The trade sending James Harden to the Cleveland Cavs had been in the works for some time, and so while it was a bit of a surprise, it also wasn’t completely unexpected.

Ivica Zubac’s trade to the Indiana Pacers, however, came as a painful shock to everyone within the organization.

“It’s almost like losing a brother,” Leonard added. “We see these people, the players around here more than we see our families, in a sense, throughout the NBA season. just somebody that will be missed. Like you said, I played a lot of games with him, a lot of battles. He’s a face that we’re gonna miss in the locker room.”

Since December 20th, when the team was 6-21 on the season, Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers flipped the season and run off 17 wins over their next 21 games. The 17-4 stretch was the best record in the NBA during that time, and put them firmly in the fight for a spot in the NBA play-in tournament.

Harden’s trade re-shifted the Clippers’ focus to getting a little younger and remaining competitive with a guy like Darius Garland. The Zubac trade, however, does put some question marks on the Clippers’ ability to compete at a high level for the rest of this season.

Having come into the 2025-26 season as the oldest team in NBA history, Leonard understood the need for the franchise to get younger with star talent while also accruing assets that they simply haven’t had the chance to obtain.

“We were just trying to get younger. We came in the year with the oldest team. It makes sense for them to try to get some assets and try to build for the future. It’s a big class coming in 2027, hopefully. They gotta do what’s best for them. I thought we were tracking well the last six weeks. Everybody has human nature. It’s a complete turnaround from what I thought we could potentially do. Not saying we were contenders, but we thought we could make some noise or mess someone’s season up. Now the tides changed. We’ll get back into it, hopefully after All-Star.”

The Clippers have earned two hard-fought victories over the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves coming out of the NBA trade deadline, with two more games remaining against the Houston Rockets before the NBA All-Star break.

Entering Monday, the Clippers hold a record of 25-27 and are the ninth seed in the Western Conference. They sit just a half-game ahead of the Blazers for the 10-seed and 2.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the eighth seed.

In 39 appearances this season, Kawhi Leonard is averaging 28 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.7 three-pointers made per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three.

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Making the day worse for Indiana was the injury suffered by second-year forward Johnny Furphy in the second half.
The 21-year-old Furphy made a cut to the basket during a Pacers possession in the third quarter and tried to go up for a dunk.

He made the throwdown, but appeared to suffer an injury after landing on the floor. Furphy immediately grabbed his right knee while in clear pain.

The former Kansas Jayhawks star later went to the locker room in a wheelchair, which was not an encouraging sight for the Pacers and their fans.

Here is a short clip of his landing and injury:

Johnny Furphy was able to walk to the bench with help, but then was taken back to the locker room in a wheelchair. pic.twitter.com/uGzeQY0cCA

— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) February 8, 2026

Before he left the Raptors game, Furphy scored four points on 2-for-3 shooting from the field, dished out three assists and grabbed two rebounds in 15 minutes of action.

Furphy’s injury adds to the headaches of Indiana, which is already missing the services of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton for the entire 2025-26 NBA season.

The Pacers are also without Obi Toppin, while team newcomers and trade deadline acquisitions Ivica Zubac and forward Kobe Brown are still not with the team.

The banged-up Pacers, who dropped to 13-40, will look to rebound and win their first game in their current road trip on Tuesday against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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Even with his absence, the Raptors have been playing well and are one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. If they can get Poeltl back soon, they may be even better.

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Jakob Poeltl’s injury status vs. Pacers

When Poeltl was listed as questionable against the Pacers, it was the first time in a while due to his nagging back issues. Even though he’s not coming back for Sunday’s game, it’s a great sign for Toronto that he’s on the verge of returning to the floor.

The Raptors have played small in Poeltl’s absence by inserting rookie Collin Murray-Boyles in the starting lineup He has played well at the position, and Toronto is still winning games.

It did seem as if the Raptors wanted some real interior help, and they were looking for a center at the trade deadline. Toronto was most connected to Domantas Sabonis at the deadline, but Poeltl’s contract was a sticking point in trade talks. There have already been rumors that these trade talks could be revisited in the offseason.

There were also rumors that the Raptors were looking to acquire Walker Kessler at the deadline, but of course, to no avail. With Kessler being a restricted free agent in the offseason, Toronto will still have a chance to sign him. However, the Raptors will have to offer a contract that the Utah Jazz are not willing to match, and it’s unclear just how high that number would be.

It’ll be interesting to see what the Raptors do in the offseason and if they plan on improving their frontcourt. As of now, the hope is that they can get Poeltl back and playing at peak form.

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Following Indiana’s trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for center Ivica Zubac, Haliburton shared a heartfelt message on Instagram directed at Bennedict Mathurin, who was sent out as part of the deal. Haliburton posted a photo of the two dapping each other up, captioned, “My Brother. Go be great 00,” accompanied by a fingers-crossed emoji and a yellow heart.

The Pacers acquired Zubac and Kobe Brown from Los Angeles in exchange for Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 first-round pick, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and a future second-round pick. The trade addressed a long-standing need in the middle following last summer’s departure of Myles Turner, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks after Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals.

Mathurin, 23, was selected sixth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft and had been enjoying a career season in his fourth year with the Pacers. He is averaging 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 43.3 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from 3-point range and 88.4 percent from the free-throw line across 28 games, including 24 starts. He logged 31.8 minutes per contest and was a key part of Indiana’s wing rotation.

Tyrese Haliburton via IG pic.twitter.com/bizZxH5rLu

— The Indy Pacer (@TheIndyPacer) February 5, 2026

Bennedict Mathurin joins Clippers as Pacers reset around Tyrese Haliburton

Mathurin now joins a Clippers team that sits ninth in the Western Conference standings at 23-27. He steps into a roster led by Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland, who was recently acquired in a separate deal that sent James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Los Angeles begins a four-game road trip Friday night against the Sacramento Kings at 10 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

For Indiana, the move reflects a continued push to recalibrate after a remarkable stretch of postseason success. The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2024 and followed that up with an NBA Finals appearance last season, ultimately falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. That run came at a cost, as Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals and continues his recovery.

Indiana enters the next phase of the season at 13-38 and opens a six-game road trip Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks at 8 p.m. ET. Zubac is expected to anchor the frontcourt as the Pacers stabilize their rotation while Haliburton works toward a return.

Haliburton’s message underscored the human side of a deadline defined by major decisions. As Indiana turns the page with Zubac in the middle and Mathurin beginning a new chapter in Los Angeles, the Pacers continue balancing immediate needs with the long-term vision shaped by their recent postseason runs.

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Zubac has been the subject of trade rumors for weeks ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. Arguably one of the most sought-after centers in the association this season, Zubac is in the first year of a three-year, $58.6 million contract. The Pacers have their starting center for the future, with him on the cusp of his prime.

He’s averaged a double-double (14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds) this season. Zubac is fifth in the NBA in rebounds per game, and his 61.3% field-goal percentage is ranked sixth among centers. Zubac also earned All-Defensive Second Team honors last season, and is on pace of making another All-Defensive team at the end of this season.

Jackson recovered from a right Achilles injury in 2024-25. He’s averaged 6.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16.8 minutes this season. Mathurin, in his fourth year, is averaging career highs across the board this season, including points (17.8), rebounds (5.4), and assists (2.3) per game, with 43.3/37.2/88.4 percent shooting splits.

Grading Clippers’ trade with Pacers

In an attempt to maximize their return for James Harden, the Clippers received an All-Star guard in Darius Garland and a future second-round pick from the Cavs. As the oldest team in the NBA, future draft picks are at a premium for the Clippers, who replenished their assets in a four-player deal with the Pacers.

However, if the Pacers’ 2026 first-round pick falls outside of the 1-4 or 10-30 range in this year’s draft, it converts to a 2031 unprotected first, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Pacers receive: Ivica Zubac, Kobe Brown

Clippers receive: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected (1-4/10-30 range) 2026 first-round pick, a 2029 first-round pick, and a future second-round pick 

While the Clippers gave up their best defensive player in Ivica Zubac, Bennedict Mathurin, 23, gives them an efficient shooter with plenty of upside for a fourth-year guard who’s still under 25. He’s also on an expiring deal, which isn’t ideal for the Clippers. But re-signing him is a must this summer as Mathurin is projected to be a 20+ point scorer, and one of the more reliable 3-point shooters.

Mathurin, who’s making $9.1 million this season, will be a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Clippers can match any other team’s offers via free agency. For a team bombarded with an unexpected trade request only days before Thursday’s deadline, adding Mathurin is probably as good a replacement as you’re going to get for an aging 36-year-old star.

The NBA is as young as it’s ever been, and Mathurin is an ideal player to invest in as a proven 17+ point scorer to complement the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, John Collins, and Derrick Jones Jr. this season, and beyond. He’s also evolving into a capable on-ball defender who can hold his own against the pick-and-roll.

Final Clippers trade grade

For a team that’s turned its season around from a 6-21 start to a 17-6 record over its last 23 games, the Clippers will look to build off that momentum and finish the regular season on a high note amidst a postseason push. However, their trade with the Pacers at the deadline addresses their future more than anything.

Bennedict Mathurin will undoubtedly make his presence felt this season. However, the Clippers’ defense, which is in the bottom half of the NBA with a 117.2 defensive rating, just lost its anchor in Ivica Zubac. While Isaiah Jackson is a productive defender at the power forward position, he is a role player at best.

It’s difficult to grade the Clippers’ Ivica Zubac deal for Mathurin, Jackson, and future draft picks without considering the return for James Harden. And while Darius Garland, who hasn’t played since January 14, recovers from a toe injury, Mathurin will be one of the Clippers’ go-to options on offense. All while the Clippers hope to stay afloat in a competitive Western Conference.

However, grading one trade based on a trade from days earlier is never ideal. The Clippers parting ways with a future Hall of Fame scorer in Harden shouldn’t be meshed with the team losing their best defender in the frontcourt. Only time will tell if Mathurin will evolve into an All-Star talent for the Clippers, and if the Pacers’ 2026 first-round pick will fall in between selections 5-9 — which are two factors that would bump this trade up by a whole letter-grade.

Clippers trade grade: C

Final Pacers trade grade

After their first Finals appearance in 25 years, the Pacers’ second in franchise history, the Pacers watched Tyrese Haliburton suffer a ruptured Achilles against the Thunder in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Then, Myles Turner, one of the Pacers’ pillars alongside All-Star Pascal Siakam, agreed to a four-year, $108.8 million deal with the Bucks.

When you put the Pacers’ franchise situation into perspective, coupled with the Clippers’ history of trading future first-round picks, it’s easier to understand why the Pacers overpaid for Ivica Zubac hours before the trade deadline. Considering the market, Zubac is as good a replacement as they were going to get for Turner.

Now, the Pacers, with the third-worst record in the NBA this season, are in a position to compete at a high level in 2026-27. This is a playoff team when Haliburton returns, one that could inch toward the Eastern Conference’s upper echelon of teams next season, depending on how the Pacers approach the offseason.

So far, they’re off to an impressive start. Zubac is going to thrive with the Pacers in the East, as the All-Defensive center will undoubtedly reach his first All-Star selection now that he’s left the Western Conference. He’s also entering his prime years, as Zubac turns 29 in March.

Pacers trade grade: B+

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Moments after the trade was announced, Clark shared her excitement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Pacers 2027 world champions,” Clark wrote.

Indiana landed Zubac in a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, sending Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 first-round pick, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and a future second-round pick to Los Angeles. The Pacers also received Kobe Brown in the trade, solidifying their frontcourt after months of uncertainty at the position.

The move addressed a clear need for Indiana following last season’s NBA Finals appearance, where the Pacers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. That run was followed by the offseason departure of longtime center Myles Turner, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, leaving a significant void in the middle.

Ivica Zubac addition sparks ‘2027 world champions’ proclamation from Caitlin Clark

Zubac, 28, arrives as a proven solution. A member of last season’s All-Defensive Second Team, he is averaging 14.4 points, 11 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season while shooting 61.3 percent from the field across 43 games, including 42 starts. He is logging 30.9 minutes per contest and spent more than seven seasons with the Clippers before the trade.

Indiana enters the final stretch of the season at 13-38 as it looks to stabilize a roster that has undergone notable turnover since its Finals run. Zubac’s arrival provides immediate rim protection, rebounding and interior scoring, anchoring a retooled frontcourt.

Clark, the star of the Indiana Fever, quickly captured the mood around the franchise. While her comment was lighthearted, it reflected renewed optimism surrounding a team that recently competed on the league’s biggest stage.

The Pacers return to action Friday night, opening a six-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks (20-29) at 8 p.m. ET, with Zubac expected to play a central role as Indiana turns the page toward its next chapter.

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Prime NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Thursday that Indiana made a strong push for Kessler, offering a package headlined by two unprotected first-round picks. Utah declined the proposal, prompting the Pacers to pivot in another direction to address their frontcourt needs.

“Sources: Indiana Pacers made a run at Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and offered a package highlighted by two unprotected first-round picks,” Haynes reported on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It was declined and Pacers pivoted to Zubac. Kessler will be in demand as a restricted free agent this summer.”

Indiana ultimately acquired Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown from the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 first-round pick, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and a future second-round pick to Los Angeles. The move addressed a major offseason hole for the Pacers following Myles Turner’s departure to the Milwaukee Bucks after Indiana’s NBA Finals run last summer.

Utah’s decision to reject Indiana’s offer comes amid a transformative stretch for the franchise. Earlier this week, the Jazz completed a surprise blockbuster trade to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr., reshaping their frontcourt and defensive identity. While that deal fueled speculation that additional core pieces could be moved, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel has consistently reported that Kessler remains central to Utah’s plans.

Jazz reaffirm Walker Kessler as long-term cornerstone despite Pacers’ aggressive pursuit

Following the Jackson trade, Siegel immediately reported that the Jazz have no intention of moving Kessler ahead of the deadline and expect him to be a long-term fixture. Kessler is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason, and league sources have indicated Utah is prepared to offer him a new long-term deal despite aggressive interest from rival teams.

Kessler, 24, opened his fourth NBA season with career-best production before suffering a torn ACL. In five games, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 70.3% from the field and 75% from three-point range. His efficiency and defensive impact have only strengthened Utah’s resolve to retain him.

The Jazz enter Thursday at 16-35 and are coming off a 131-122 win over the Pacers on Tuesday night. Utah continues a three-game road trip Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 p.m. ET as it evaluates its retooled roster following multiple deadline moves.

Indiana, now 13-38, begins a six-game road trip Friday night against Milwaukee at 8 p.m. ET. While the Pacers found their center of the future in Zubac, Haynes’ report underscores how highly Kessler is valued across the league.

For Utah, declining two unprotected first-round picks reinforces a clear message: even amid major changes highlighted by the Jackson acquisition, Kessler remains a cornerstone of the Jazz’s long-term vision.

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Along with trading Zubac to the Pacers, Los Angeles is also sending Kobe Brown to Indiana. In exchange for their starting center, the Clippers will be receiving Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 first-round pick, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and a future second-round pick in 2028, sources said.

Although the Pacers traded their 2026 first-round pick in this trade, it comes with major caveats and protections.

Should this pick fall in the 1-4 or the 10-30 range of the 2026 NBA Draft, Indiana will retain this pick and instead ship a 2031 unprotected first-round pick to the Clippers. Either way, the Clippers got exactly what they wanted in two unprotected first-round picks and young talent in the form of Mathurin and Jackson.

ESPN was first to report the trade between Indiana and Los Angeles.

The Pacers had been one of the most aggressive teams on the trade market in recent days, searching for their center of the future. Zubac has been at the top of their list, and while the Clippers have held a strong asking price for him, the Pacers have met that price in the final hour before Thursday’s deadline.

After trading James Harden for Darius Garland and clearly taking a step back after their recent surge over the last month, the Clippers turned their attention to capitalizing on Zubac’s high value now. Los Angeles owned very little draft capital entering the trade deadline week, and they have now regained a lot of lost value from investing in previous trades.

As the Pacers turn their attention to the future, they will immediately re-enter the championship equation in the Eastern Conference with Zubac as their starting center and Tyrese Haliburton returning from his Achilles injury.

In 43 games this season, Zubac has averaged 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game while shooting 61.3 percent from the floor.

For the Clippers, this trade signals the end of an era that did not progress the way executive Lawrence Frank and owner Steve Ballmer had envisioned. Both Harden and Zubac have now been traded before the deadline, leaving Kawhi Leonard with Garland and what appears to be a roster that will be rehauled in the summer.

Leonard will be entering the final year of his contract and will make $50.3 million during the 2026-27 season.

Mathurin and Jackson enter a situation where they will receive clear roles and playing time as the future of this franchise alongside Garland. In the final year of his contract, Mathurin will be a restricted free agent for the Clippers this offseason.

This season with the Pacers, Mathurin averaged 17.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 43.3 percent from the floor and 37.2 percent from 3-point range in 28 games.

The Clippers are currently 23-27 and are fighting for position in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament region of the standings. Their first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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The Clippers’ trade came as a surprise: with LA starting to win games just before the deadline, it seemed like the team would either be buyers or stand pat. As it stands, it looks like the Clippers are trying to do a fire sale. Jake Fischer reports that Los Angeles is still looking to move center Ivica Zubac, with the Indiana Pacers being the leading contender for the star big man.

“Sources: After trading James Harden to Cleveland earlier this week, the Clippers have still been receiving calls on starting center Ivica Zubac, with the Indiana Pacers prime among his suitors,” Jake Fischer reports.

The Pacers have been quiet this trade deadline. While other teams have been making a ton of moves, Indiana has seemingly stayed pat. However, that doesn’t mean that they haven’t been trying to get a player at the deadline. There are recent reports that link the Pacers to Jarrett Allen. Since losing Myles Turner this offseason, Indiana has been looking for an option to replace him in the middle. Allen and Zubac are two players who could fit that mold, with the Clippers center being an intriguing option.

The Clippers are also now free to pursue trades for their other stars. It was reported a few weeks ago that LA’s primary focus was dealing Chris Paul. With Paul now off the team officially and Harden traded, it opens up the door for the team to hunt for a suitor for Zubac. That being said, the reported asking price of the Clippers for Zubac is a bit pricey.

The Clippers

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Meanwhile, according to reporting from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Pacers are not alone. Chicago and New Orleans have shown interest in Bennedict Mathurin. Still, Indiana continues to scan the center market. Jarrett Allen’s name keeps surfacing.

In return, he brings stability and production. This season, he averages 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and shoots over 60 percent from the field. Those numbers matter on a roster missing structure inside. Without Tyrese Haliburton after their Finals run, the Pacers have struggled to find balance. Because of that, defense slips. The paint opens. Fans see the gaps every night.

A move shaped by timing and Jarrett Allen

For Cleveland, the situation feels different. After trading for James Harden, the Cavs shifted priorities and changed the math. Now, Cleveland must decide which pieces stay and which become leverage. Allen remains a valuable asset. He still controls the glass and protects the rim. However, roster flexibility matters more than comfort.

Meanwhile, Indiana wants direction. Not noise. In that sense, a proven center like Jarrett Allen could reset their identity under the arena lights. It would give young guards a target and fans a reason to believe again. For now, the crowd still waits for momentum. Yet, one trade can tilt a season’s story.

In the end, this is not about headlines alone. It is about survival and vision. The Pacers need presence. The Cavs, on the other hand, need choices. As the NBA Trade Deadline ticks closer, the tension rises. So the question remains: will Jarrett Allen become the piece that reshapes two futures at once?

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Ayo Dosunmu has emerged as the Bulls’ most movable piece. His contract carries real value. He is efficient and steady. This season, he is averaging 15.0 points while shooting over 51 percent from the field and 45 percent from three. His game fits cleanly into playoff systems. Bennedict Mathurin brings a different edge. He is scoring 17.8 points per night with strong free throw shooting and growing confidence as a primary option. Indiana’s earlier playoff surge suggested stability. That belief now wavers.

Why Bulls and Pacers now stand at a crossroads

The Pacers’ outlook has shifted fast. First, Tyrese Haliburton’s season-ending injury changed the timeline. Then, Myles Turner’s earlier departure altered the core. Now, financial questions hover over the front office. As a result, Mathurin’s name floats in real conversations. At the same time, the Pacers have explored frontcourt upgrades and even checked on Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen. Every call, in turn, reveals urgency.

Meanwhile, the Bulls live in a familiar gray zone. They compete nightly but cannot separate from the middle. As a result, Feb. 5 feels impossible to ignore. Dosunmu’s appeal comes from his mix of youth, efficiency, and control. He does not demand the ball. Instead, he makes the right reads. That profile travels well.

In the end, this is not noise. It is strategy. One side wants clarity. The other wants traction. Under the stadium lights, futures pivot with each phone call. So will Chicago bet on upside or safety? Will Indiana protect potential or cash it in? The NBA Trade Deadline does not wait. When the clock runs out, which direction will these franchises choose?

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Recently, Mathurin himself spoke on his mentality as the trade deadline approaches.

“I could go two ways about it,” Mathurin said, per Hoopshype, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “I can be stressed and worried about it and everything. But I just feel like stress only comes from when you’re not ready for situations. For me it’s pretty much just, keep my head down and keep working. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’m here to work.”

It’s certainly a good attitude to have amid the uncertainty of an NBA trade season that has thus far been uneventful in 2026 but has been known to heat up in a hurry.

Mathurin’s consistency has been a problem at times this year, but when he’s at his best, he fits the archetype of player that most every team is currently looking for, able to switch at ease on defense, knock down open shots, and put the ball on the floor and create on occasion, allowing him to slot into the positionless basketball movement that the league is currently entering.

Meanwhile, the Pacers as a whole have been toward the bottom of the standings all year, but the prospect of adding a top draft pick to go alongside Haliburton when he returns next year is certainly intriguing, and it’s possible that said player could fill the void left by Mathurin if he were to be moved.

In any case, the NBA trade deadline is set for Thursday afternoon.

The post Pacers’ Bennedict Mathurin reveals his 2 options for trade deadline amid Bulls, Pelicans rumors appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Siakam is halfway through the 10th season of his NBA career, his third with the Pacers. He has been a bright spot for Indiana as the team is going through a free fall with the multiple injuries they have suffered this season. The veteran forward has performed so well that he earned the fourth All-Star selection of his career, his second straight honor with the Pacers.

Siakam proved his talents with a highlight in the final minutes of the third quarter. Following a Houston turnover, Indiana went on the fastbreak as Siakam finished off the transition play with a strong one-handed dunk.

Pascal Siakam with a MEAN JAM in transition

pic.twitter.com/xA0mqof5kF

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 3, 2026

How Pascal Siakam, Pacers played against Rockets

Despite the cool highlight from Pascal Siakam, he and the Pacers were unable to stun the Rockets in a 118-114 loss at home.

Both teams traded blows throughout the course of the game. Houston landed the biggest punch with a 37-26 display in the second quarter, something that Indiana wasn’t able to fully recover from for the remainder of the night.

Four players scored in double-digits for Indiana in the loss, including Siakam. He led the team with a stat line of 27 points, five assists, four rebounds, and one steal. He shot 12-of-21 from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Bennedict Mathurin came next with 25 points and five assists, while Aaron Nesmith had 17 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Jarace Walker provided 12 points and four rebounds.

Indiana fell to a 13-37 record on the season, being at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. They are behind the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets by one game.

The Pacers will look to bounce back in their next matchup, remaining at home. They host the Utah Jazz on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. ET.

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They had a golden opportunity to come back towards the end of the game; Alperen Sengun, despite having a monster night, missed two free throws with the Pacers down by three with less than 10 seconds remaining in the contest. However, in what would be the story of the night, the Rockets hauled in the offensive board and Amen Thompson split a pair of free throws, sealing the game in the Rockets’ favor.

After the game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle rued his team’s deficiencies on the glass and their inability to keep the Rockets off the foul line where they got 31 easy points (out of 37 attempts).

“[It was] pretty obvious the rebounding and the free throw line were the two big factors in the game,” Carlisle said, per Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “They have guys who are very good rebounders to start with. They have guys with tenacity to pursue the ball.”

The Rockets hauled in a total of 56 rebounds on the night (19 offensive). Meanwhile, all the Pacers could muster were 33 boards (seven on the offensive end).

Pacers need a center, stat

The rumor mill has indicated that the Pacers have been on the lookout on the trade market for a long-term starting center; they’ve reportedly set their sights on someone like Yves Missi, who’s been relegated to a bench role on the New Orleans Pelicans.

The way the Rockets demolished the Pacers on the glass even though they were without noted offensive rebounding menace Steven Adams is very telling of how desperate they must be to find Myles Turner’s long-term successor.

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Siakam has been the lone steady force for the Pacers. Against the Houston Rockets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday, he reminded everyone why he is one of the most fearless players in the NBA.

After forcing a turnover, the Pacers quickly attacked on the other end. Siakam ran on the right side and got the perfect pass from Jarace Walker. Siakam then soared for the mean slam in the face of Dorian Finney-Smith.

Pascal Siakam with a MEAN JAM in transition

pic.twitter.com/xA0mqof5kF

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 3, 2026

Siakam could not suppress his smile after the nasty dunk.

The 31-year-old forward is having a good week after being named to the All-Star Game for the fourth time. He was averaging 23.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 steals entering their game versus the Rockets.

Despite Indiana’s woeful record, Siakam has been a consistent stud, carrying the majority of the load with Tyrese Haliburton still sidelined by an Achilles injury. Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, TJ McConnell, and Isaiah Jackson have all missed time, while Obi Toppin has yet to play due to a foot injury.

Unfortunately, the Pacers fell short against the Rockets, 118-114, to fall to 13-37. They are in last place in the Eastern Conference.

Siakam had a team-high 27 points, four rebounds, and five assists in a losing effort. Mathurin added 25 points, four rebounds, and five assists off the bench.

Indiana will look to bounce back on Tuesday against the Utah Jazz.

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She joined NBA legends Reggie Miller and Carmelo Anthony and anchor Maria Taylor on NBC’s pregame show to match the star power of the Lakers and the Knicks. Clark, who is not afraid to share her thoughts, was a natural, matching the energy of her more experienced colleagues.

Miller, the greatest player ever of the Indiana Pacers, gave Clark the ultimate praise.

“First of all, there’s a new shooter from Indiana. I’m the third-best shooter in the city of Indiana now. It goes Caitlin, Tyrese (Haliburton), and myself,” said the Hall of Famer.

The 24-year-old Clark, who had a big smile, quickly replied with a smart remark.

“Well, I’ll get Tyrese’s opinion on that. I don’t think Tyrese would agree,” said Clark.

"I'm the 3rd-best shooter in the state of Indiana now."

Reggie Miller passes the torch to @CaitlinClark22 and @Hali pic.twitter.com/Y4DDpFnDWE

— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2026

Clark and Haliburton are good friends, bonded by their shared responsibility of leading a basketball-loving city. Clark has been spotted supporting the Pacers, while Haliburton has done the same for the Fever.  

Fans, meanwhile, gave the 60-year-old Miller his flowers, appreciating his kind comment to Clark.

“Humble dude because there’s no doubt that Reggie is Indiana’s best shooter ever,” said @THEEJoeMess.

“I’ll take Reggie over CC and Hali,” added @dubnationglobal.

“Reggie is a class act,” wrote @patrick95649172.

“Reggie Miller is funny. He knows he is the GOAT,” posted @MichaelD2820.

“Aw, this was so sweet! Love Indy sports! CC, you are an incredible person and athlete!” commented @rosa_medina.

Miller spent his entire career with the Pacers, helping them become a perennial contender. He became one of the most clutch players in league history and led the NBA in career three-pointers when he retired in 2005.

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Nembhard is halfway through the fourth season of his career, going up the ranks to become one of the Pacers’ most important players. He is having his most involvement in the team’s offense to date, especially with his star teammate Tyrese Haliburton out for the entire season to rehab his torn Achilles.

In the meantime, Nembhard is showing the league what he can do with a higher volume of usage. That much was the case during Indiana’s contest against Atlanta as he pulled off this highlight midway through the second quarter. He drove to the basket as he lobbed up a pass to Huff, who caught the ball to throw down the two-handed dunk.

Andrew Nembhard tosses up a LOB to Jay Huff pic.twitter.com/muVXMyzMny

— Pacers Nation (@PacersNationCP) February 1, 2026

How Andrew Nembhard, Pacers played against Hawks

It was a great highlight for Andrew Nembhard to add to his collection of highlights, leading the Pacers to a 129-124 home win over the Hawks.

Both teams traded blows throughout the course of the game, but Indiana landed the biggest one with 45 points in the second quarter. Their performance in that period allowed them to control the lead for the remainder of the game, keeping Atlanta at bay.

Six players scored in double-digits for Indiana in the win, including Nembhard. He led the way with a stat line of 26 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and one steal. He shot 9-of-19 from the field, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line. Pascal Siakam came next with 25 points and six rebounds, Aaron Nesmith had 23 points, while Huff put up 16 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Bennedict Mathurin provided 14 points and fve rebounds.

Indiana improved to a 13-36 record on the season, holding the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Washington Wizards while trailing the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks.

The Pacers will look forward to their next matchup, remaining at home. They host the Utah Jazz as the contest will commence on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. ET.

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*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)*

Jalen Johnson’s injury status vs. Pacers

Johnson has missed five games in his fifth season, including the Hawks’ 104-86 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday. He sat out of that game, which was the second leg of a back-to-back, with a calf injury, and head coach Quin Snyder noted that his team really suffered from Johnson’s absence.

The Hawks were also without Onyeka Okongwu in the loss, which Snyder also despised. Atlanta started Christian Koloko and Vit Krejci in place of its two absent forwards, who combined for just 15 points.

Atlanta will hope to have Johnson back with Okongwu already ruled out for Saturday’s game. The 25-year-old remains sidelined with a dental fracture after taking an elbow to the face from Jaylen Brown on Wednesday.

Before Thursday, Johnson had not missed a game since late December. Calf injuries should never be played with, but the timing of his hiatus seemed more like a precaution than anything. Consider Johnson on the right side of questionable to return on Saturday.

Zaccharie Risacher’s injury status vs. Pacers

While Johnson has missed just one game, Risacher has not played for the Hawks since Jan. 7. The former No. 1 overall pick has been sidelined with a knee contusion, but he did travel with the team to Indianapolis and is questionable to return after missing the last 11 games.

The Hawks have been experimenting with different starting lineups sans Risacher, but they appear to have settled on Corey Kispert as their stand-in starter. Atlanta acquired Kispert as part of the Trae Young deal shortly after Risacher’s injury. Kispert is coming off back-to-back strong efforts, scoring 13 points in a win over the Boston Celtics and 17 against the Rockets.

Risacher has been listed as questionable for the last few games, making it difficult to gauge his true progress. If he returns on Saturday, it would be his first time playing with the new-look Hawks since they sent Young to the Washington Wizards for C.J. McCollum and Kispert.

Hawks injury report

N’Faly Dante — OUT, torn ACL

RayJ Dennis — Doubtful, G League

Nikola Djurisic — Doubtful, G League

Caleb Houstan — Doubtful, G League

Jalen Johnson — Questionable, left calf tightness

Onyeka Okongwu — OUT, dental fracture

Kristaps Porzingis — OUT, left Achilles tendinitis

Zaccharie Risacher — Questionable, left knee contusion

Pacers injury report

Tyrese Haliburton — OUT, torn Achilles

Taelon Peter — Doubtful, G League

Ethan Thompson — Doubtful, G League

Obi Toppin — OUT, right foot stress fracture

The post Are Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher playing tonight? Hawks vs. Pacers injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

AARON NESMITH WITH THE GAME SAVING BLOCK

Pacers beat the Bulls!
pic.twitter.com/CbDETZvMB8

— Pacers Nation (@PacersNationCP) January 29, 2026

Entering the fourth quarter behind by nine and down as many as 14 points, Indiana mounted an 18-4 run in the final seven minutes to overcome the deficit. Andrew Nembhard initiated the rally with a step-back jumper, giving the Pacers a 109-107 lead with 40 seconds left, only for Nikola Vucevic to hit a 3-pointer to put Chicago ahead. The 26-year-old’s reverse layup restored Indiana’s advantage, and forward Johnny Furphy grabbed the rebound after Nesmith’s defensive stop, converting two free throws to bring home the 113-110 win. Nembhard also nabbed a crucial steal to help the Pacers hold on.

Nesmith ended the night with 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block over 34 mins. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 20 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, making 4-of-7 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws in the all-important period. Nembhard contributed 18 points, nine assists, and six rebounds. Jarace Walker added 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, and Bennedict Mathurin chipped in 15 points, hitting 3-of-5 from three-point range and 4-of-4 at the line, along with eight rebounds. Jay Huff recorded 10 points and seven rebounds. The Pacers’ young core was responsible for 31 of the team’s 113 points.

Chicago’s Vucevic led all scorers with 25 points, while Matas Buzelis had 20. Jalen Smith posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Giddey recorded seven assists, surpassing 2,000 career assists at age 23, becoming the 15th player in NBA history to reach that milestone at or before that age.

Indiana’s offense was out of sync early in the game, shooting just 14.2 percent on two-point attempts in the first quarter (2-of-14), though they offset this with 6-of-13 three-point shooting. The Pacers also employed multiple centers to match the Bulls’ size, with Huff playing for 23:27 minutes, Micah Potter 16:55, Isaiah Jackson 2:33, and Siakam spending 4:51 at the five spot.

The victory improved Indiana’s record to 12-36, moving them out of last place in the NBA, while Chicago fell to 23-24, holding just below .500 in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers have now beaten the Bulls three times this season and will next host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.

The post Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith saves the day with clutch block vs. Bulls appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now, though, it seems like Haliburton is slowly working his way back from injury. The Pacers guard posted a montage of him working out and rehabbing his injury. While it’s nothing close to game speed just yet, Haliburton is already looking good, a great sign for his playing career.

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton looking good in this latest workout tape in the gym

(via @Hali)pic.twitter.com/StwxtLOoSk

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 28, 2026

Haliburton’s injury in Game 7 of the Finals was brutal to witness. The star guard suffered a calf injury back in Game 5 of the playoffs. The Pacers guard played in their Game 6 win to force overtime, which gave fans optimism that he will be fine for the final game of the season. However, things immediately went awry when Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon minutes into the first quarter. The Pacers would end up losing the game.

The Pacers star recently appeared on LeBron James’ podcast. During his appearance, Haliburton touched on his rehabilitation. The star point guard said that he’s already doing 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 drills, but he’s still a ways away from actually stepping foot on an NBA court again.

“Man, I feel really good,” Haliburton said. “My body feels really good. I just started playing 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 full court. That’s been good to be with the (player development) interns and stuff. It’s been funny because as I’ve started playing with the interns and (assistant coach) Jannero Pargo… I’m like, ‘Ooh, I can play in an NBA game right now… I’m guarding Benn (Bennedict Mathurin)… He hesi’d me one time. He was at the rim, I was still at the 3-point line. I was like, ‘Ohhh.’ I still got some time.”

The Pacers find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with an 11-36 record. Haliburton could choose to return for a few games before the season ends, but a playoff run this season is far out of reach.

The post Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s latest video amid injury recovery will catch fans’ attention appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The NBA Injury Report officially listed Jones and Collins as out. The Bulls are coming into the game with a 23-23 record and coming off a 129-118 loss to the LA Lakers on Monday. Meanwhile, the Pacers are 11-36.

The Pacers have Obi Toppin out with a right foot stress fracture and Jarace Walker as questionable with a bruised right foot.

Jones has been out since playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan.22. In that game, he played 27 minutes, scored 12 points, and dished out seven assists as the Bulls won 120-115.

Meanwhile, Collins has been out since Dec. 27, when he played against the Milwaukee Bucks. He had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds as Chicago lost 112-103.

So far, Jones is averaging 12.4 points and 5.8 assists per game. Collins is averaging 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

During this season, the Bulls have had to deal with injuries that have consumed significant portions of their roster.

Jones is in his first full season with the Bulls. Last summer, he signed a $24 million, three-year contract. Last season, he was traded from the San Antonio Spurs and played 18 games in Chicago in the second half. Altogether, he averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Collins also came to Chicago from San Antonio as part of the Zach LaVine trade last February. He played in 28 games in the second half of the season with Chicago, averaging 8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds.

The post Tre Jones, Zach Collins won’t play in showdown vs. Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Haliburton has had much time for contemplation during his recovery, and he is using his season-long absence to become a better basketball player. Such a quest may entail putting on some extra weight, or a lot of extra weight. The two-time All-NBA Third-Team selection told LeBron James on the “Mind the Game” podcast that he has gained 30 pounds since his devastating injury.

He is not too worried about his physique, however. Haliburton hopes to use his newfound girth to his advantage.

The 25-year-old averaged only 3.0 free throw attempts per contest last season and 2.7 for his career. He has the smooth stroke to bury opponents on the charity stripe (85.5 percent in 333 regular season games), so this is obviously an area he and the Pacers want to address. While recovering, Haliburton has watched closely at how aggressive guards like Austin Reaves and Payton Pritchard impose their will when driving to the rim.

“That’s really something that I’m trying to focus on through my rehab, just being more physical,” the 2023-24 assists king told James. “I was 180 pounds on Game 7 day. I’m 210 right now.

“Obviously, as I start to run I’m going to get that off of me. Some of it’s not good because I’ve been drowning my sorrows in cookies and ice cream (smiling), but I think I see that and it’s just a way for me to be more physical at the rim {and} to get more free throws. I think that’s important, just slowing the game down.”

Tyrese Haliburton says he has gained 30 pounds since he last played.

“I was 180 pounds on game 7 day, I’m 210 now,”

( @mindthegamepod / h/t @Fullcourtpass )

pic.twitter.com/kBhmAUiR7G

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2026

Tyrese Haliburton has a new perspective on the game, and it could add an intriguing element to his offensive arsenal. He must avoid becoming sluggish, but additional padding could enable him to muscle defenders at a higher rate. The No. 12 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft is not clinging to his 2025 triumphs. He understands the importance of evolving.

The Pacers did not win the Eastern Conference on talent alone. Sure, they boasted two All-Star-caliber players and a number of other impactful contributors, but chemistry, connectivity and superb instincts launched them to the precipice of championship immortality. Rick Carlisle’s team must concoct a similar formula if it is going to jump back into the title conversation.

A beefier Haliburton could potentially factor into such a blueprint. Depleted Indiana (11-36) is on track to secure a top-five pick in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft, so the franchise will already have a new look next season. Fans may also need to get used to a physically-transformed Tyrese Haliburton. That should not be a problem, just as long as the Pacers resume their winning ways.

The post Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton makes intriguing admission about physical change post-injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

"I'm watching film, I can't even pay attention to film. I'm like, 'Damn it's over. It's over man. I ain't getting no PT out here.'"

Tyrese Haliburton joked about his lack of playing time with USA Basketball at the Olympics

(via @mindthegamepod)
pic.twitter.com/gY50wCi76f

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 27, 2026

“Steve Kerr starts talking about everybody can’t play,” Haliburton said. “And Bron is talking about how, you know, in the ‘04 Olympics, I didn’t really play that much. And you kind of, you got to put your pride aside.” At first, it sounded general. Then it felt personal. “I’m sitting there and I’m listening, and I’m like, but who are they talking about?” the Pacers star said. “I’m looking around… oh, they talking about me.”

The realization crushed him in real time. “I was sitting there. I’m watching film. I can’t even pay attention to film,” Haliburton said. “So I’m like, damn, it’s over. I ain’t get no PT out here.” His punchline made the moment unforgettable. “I’m the one guy in the school project that didn’t do nothing and got an A.”

From doubt to gold, then to Pacers recovery

The story only works because of how it unfolded at the 2024 Olympics. After thinking he would never touch the court, Haliburton made his debut in a win over South Sudan. He scored six points and added an assist on 2-of-3 shooting from deep. Team USA later defeated France for the gold medal. What began as film-room anxiety ended as a championship moment.

Now the tone is different. The Pacers star is rehabbing after missing the entire 2025–26 season. Still, that Olympic memory with LeBron James shows his mindset. He felt doubt, found humor, and stayed ready.

Under the stadium lights, he once thought it was over. Instead, it became part of his rise. As the Pacers wait for their leader to return, one question remains: when Tyrese Haliburton steps back onto the floor, what moment will define him next?

The post Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s revelation about Olympic playing time snub is hysterical appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Indiana continues to struggle in the 2025-26 campaign, having suffered several injuries to their core. This remains the case as star guard Tyrese Haliburton rehabs his Achilles, which he tore in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.

This game was competitive as Indiana led at halftime. However, their defense fell apart in the second half with Atlanta outscoring them 75-53. Carlisle explained what went wrong down the stretch after the game, per reporter Dustin Dopirak.

“We had a very poor ending to the third quarter. In fact, we just watched it (in the locker room). From the six-minute mark to the end, we were up I think 85-70 and ended up losing the lead by four going into the fourth. That was a decisive period. We didn’t play well,” Carlisle said.

“We made some poor decisions and missed shots. They were the opposite. They made the right plays, made good plays and put the ball in the basket. We gotta do better, gotta learn from it and not lose light of the thing we did in certain stretches of the game.”

How Rick Carlisle, Pacers performed against Hawks

Rick Carlisle and the Pacers are unlikely to return to the playoff picture anytime soon this season. However, it won’t pave the way for excuses to arise when it comes to how they play against their opponents.

Five players scored in double-digits for Indiana in the loss to Atlanta. Pascal Siakam led the way with a stat line of 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. He shot 8-of-21 from the field, including 2-of-9 from beyond the arc, and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. Aaron Nesmith came next with 18 points and four assists, while TJ McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin had 16 points each. Meanwhile, Jarace Walker provided 12 points and seven rebounds.

Indiana fell to an 11-36 record on the season, holding the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Washington Wizards but trail the Brooklyn Nets by 2.5 games and Charlotte Hornets by eight games.

The Pacers will look to bounce back in their next matchup, being at home. They host the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. ET.

The post Rick Carlisle speaks up on what doomed Pacers in loss to Hawks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

This affects the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets.

Here’s the NBA’s announcement via the league’s communications department on X (formerly Twitter):

SCHEDULE UPDATE FOR MONDAY, JAN. 26: The Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks game will now tip off at 1:30 p.m. ET due to inclement weather. The Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Hornets game will now tip off at 3 p.m. ET due to inclement weather.

The Pacers are set to play Atlanta for the final game of their five-game road trip at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Indiana lost three in a row before snapping its skid with a stunning 117-114 upset victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Hawks are coming off back-to-back victories over the Memphis Grizzlies on the road and against the Phoenix Suns last Wednesday and Friday, respectively. In the first meeting between the Pacers and Hawks this season, Atlanta topped Indiana on Oct. 31 to the tune of a 128-108 score.

After a frustrating loss to the New York Knicks at home on Saturday, the 76ers are looking to bounce back right away in this matchup at Spectrum Center in Charlotte against the Hornets.

Charlotte has been playing well of late, having won three of its last four outings, including its last two against the Orlando Magic and the Washington Commanders, respectively. The Hornets are also itching to avenge their 125-121 loss in the City of Brotherly Love at the hands of the Sixers on Oct. 25.

The post NBA’s Pacers-Hawks, 76ers-Hornets schedule changes due to bad weather appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Jan. 24, a man who has since been identified as Alex Pretti was killed by the federal agents, which has sparked outrage nationwide.  Haliburton, who is a point guard for the Indiana Pacers, is using his platform to spread awareness about the incident.

Haliburton wrote a simple yet direct post on X: “Alex Pretti was murdered.”

NBA icon Isaiah Thomas also has spoken out about the killing of Pretti as the video continues to circulate on every major social media platform.

“6 guys beating the s**t outta ONE person then KILLING him!!” the two-time NBA champion wrote. “F**k the ICE agents. 6 against one and y’all still shoot and kill somebody. Yall had him out numbered and decided to KILL him like it was a video game and he can just he his life back smh.”

Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty and Unrivaled co-founder made a bold statement following the killing as she shared a sign that read, “Abolish ICE.”

The NBA nor the WNBA has not made a statement at this time.

What happened in Minneapolis ICE killing?

On Jan. 24, Pretti was shot and killed by a federal agent. Pretti was a 37-year-old ICU nurse and police believed he was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.  The federal agents have been criticized on how they handled the situation with one Minneapolis resident telling CNN that they did not check his pulse once he was shot.

“Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice. Instead of doing either of those things, the (federal immigration) agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds,” they said.

This incident follows another Minneapolis ICE killing of Renée Good earlier this month. Good was in her car at the time of her death which has since been ruled a homicide caused by “multiple gunshot wounds.” She was a mother of three and an American citizen.

“We are aware of the release of basic information by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner acknowledging the death of Renee Good as a Homicide,” attorney Antonio Romanucc said in a statement to PEOPLE following the ruling. “We are still waiting for their full report and hope that they communicate with Renee’s family and share their report before releasing any further information to the public.”

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Nonetheless, the Pacers always play with a chip on their shoulder, and competing against the Thunder always seems to bring out the best in this rugged squad. On Friday night, the two squared off in a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals, and the 10-35 Pacers somehow came on top, 117-114, overcoming a 46-point night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Just to put into more perspective just how locked in the Pacers were, Aaron Nesmith threw down a spirited jam over Thunder center Chet Holmgren, putting him on a poster, to extend Indiana’s lead to 12, 105-93, with a little over five minutes remaining in the game.

Aaron Nesmith with the MEAN throwdown

pic.twitter.com/sRD6XsHjbW

— Pacers Nation (@PacersNationCP) January 24, 2026

Nesmith is a prime example of someone who steps up in big games, and he added 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists on the night to aid the Pacers in their winning effort.

Pacers rise against 2025 NBA Finals nemesis Thunder

It was on the first game of the 2025-26 NBA season for the Pacers where it looked like they won’t be as bad they’ve been. After all, they pushed the reigning champion Thunder to overtime despite Haliburton’s absence.

But that seems to be an isolated case of the Pacers simply just rising for their matchup against their NBA Finals nemesis. They proved on Friday night that that wasn’t a one-off. Andrew Nembhard played inspired basketball against OKC, putting up 27-7-11 in the winning effort, while the likes of Jarace Walker, Pascal Siakam, and Micah Potter also played their hearts out.

The post Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith throws down epic dunk over Thunder’s Chet Holmgren appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After the loss, Daigneault tipped his cap to the Pacers for their tenacious approach that kept the Thunder trailing after its only lead of the night — 2-0 — in the first minute of the opening frame.

“They made plays. Credit them. They made enough plays. Zooming out, the lesson is: when you’re in a deficit like that, that’s what a deficit does to you,” Daigneault said. “It really limits your margin for error for the rest of the game. It doesn’t mean you can’t come back and win. It’s a 48-minute game. It was obviously a winnable game for us tonight.

“But when you go down that much in the first half, it takes a lot of effort to get back in, and then, it comes down to a play here or there, and obviously, they were more than two plays better than us tonight.”

Mark Daigneault on the Pacers’ late/game execution: “The lesson is when you’re in a deficit like that… It really limits your margin for error for the rest of the game.

Doesn’t mean you can’t come back and win… that was obviously a winnable game for us tonight” pic.twitter.com/VGDpWDeIx0

— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) January 24, 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder pulled to within one (115-114) with 7.8 seconds left, but came up short in the end, as Isaiah Joe missed a corner three that would have most likely sent the game into overtime. The Pacers regained possession with 1.0 seconds left before closing out a three-point victory.

Mark Daigneault credits Pacers’ full-game effort vs. Thunder

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault credits the Pacers’ 48-minute effort in a game where the defending champions’ 18-point comeback fell short in the final seconds of regulation. Ajay Mitchell joined the Thunder’s extended injury report ahead of a three-game homestand at the Paycom Center, while the Pacers geared up for one of their most impressive wins of the season.

The Pacers handed the Thunder only its third home loss, as Daigneault appreciated his team’s effort, knowing how close his team was to forcing overtime late in the fourth quarter.

“The fight and then the competitiveness of the team was great. I thought we played really well despite it not being a very good shooting night,” Daigneault said. “We played well enough to win for 36 minutes in the 48, and credit them, they played for 48, and they held us off when we tried to get back into it multiple times.”

While the Pacers remained consistent from the perimeter, connecting on 16-of-38, led by Andrew Nembhard’s four triples, the Thunder finished the night 7-of-26 from deep.

The post Thunder’s Mark Daigneault breaks down ugly start vs. Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Hartenstein hasn’t played since December 28, when he suffered a right calf injury in a 129-104 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Ajay Mitchell scored 18 first-half points before going down in the third quarter of a 122-102 win against the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s ruled out with an abdominal strain for Friday’s game against the Pacers, who have dealt with long-term injuries all season.

Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles tendon set a somber tone for the 2025-26 Pacers. Bennedict Mathurin, dealing with a sprained right thumb, has missed nearly half the regular season as the extensive injury report strips fans of the feeling of an NBA Finals rematch between two teams that went the distance in their seven-game series last June. Obi Toppin (right foot; stress fracture) is also ruled out for the Pacers, and Quenton Jackson (right ankle; sprain) is questionable.

Alex Caruso is ruled out with a right adductor strain, while Jaylin Williams (left glut; contusion) and Aaron Wiggins (right groin; soreness) are listed as questionable for Oklahoma City.

Mark Daigneault on shorthanded Thunder’s approach

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault commended his team for stepping up amid so many injured players, as the defending champion defeated the Cavs and the Bucks with only 10 and 11 players, respectively, toward the end of a four-game road trip. Daigneault says it’s a testament to the Thunder’s relentless approach.

“The thing that I love about this team is we have a group of guys that see those types of setbacks as a challenge,” Daigneault said. “And that became our challenge tonight with only Chet in the frontcourt. So, we played small [for] a lot of minutes. Kenrich did a great job, but the whole team did a great job. Even with Allen out there, we went small a lot in the first half, and the guys really scrapped and fought.

“Then, I thought, huge minutes out of Wiggins, Isaiah Joe; those guys were huge tonight. Not only with the shot making and the offense, but the way the moved the ball, and the way that they defended, and stuck their nose in the fight. It was a great overall team win,” Daigneault concluded.

The post Thunder’s long injury report for NBA Finals rematch vs. Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“A couple of teams that have had some interest. You look at the Indiana Pacers right now, who are actively looking on the market in general to find an upgrade after they lost Myles Turner. You’ve also got the Golden State Warriors, who are looking at various center options across the league as well. And there are other teams looking at Nic as well,” Scotto said on YES Network.

Reporting on where trade talks for Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton stand amid trade interest from the Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, and other teams with @JustinShackil on @YESNetwork. pic.twitter.com/DsGmtLDQWA

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 15, 2026

Claxton is having the best offensive season of his career, averaging 12.8 points and 4.1 assists on 58.8 percent shooting. The veteran is one of four centers averaging over 12 points and four assists per game on 50 percent or better, alongside Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun and Evan Mobley.

Following a slow start defensively, he helped anchor a Nets unit that ranked first in the league in December.

Could Pacers, Warriors target Nic Claxton in deadline trade?

The Pacers are tanking this season with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined. However, they’ll need to replace Myles Turner before next year, when they’ll aim to contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference.

Indiana has a bevy of draft picks and several mid-sized contracts to match Claxton’s $25.3 million salary in a trade — including Obi Toppin ($14 million), Benedict Mathurin ($9.2 million), Isaiah Jackson ($7.6 million) and Jarace Walker ($6.7 million).

Meanwhile, the Warriors appear unlikely to make a star trade at the deadline following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending torn ACL. However, Claxton could offer a cheaper alternative as they aim to remain competitive around Stephen Curry.

Golden State has a glaring need for an upgrade at its center position, which currently features Al Horford, Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

The Nets have been linked to the Warriors in a three-team trade involving Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State could also match Claxton’s salary by using Moses Moody ($11.6 million), Buddy Hield ($9.2 million), and Horford ($5.7 million).

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The NBA trade deadline is coming up, and changes could be coming. Newsday’s Steve Popper reported that people around the league are beginning to speculate that the Knicks might consider trading Towns. While a league source told him that they haven’t shopped the center yet, the former first overall pick has been brought up in trade talks with numerous teams.

The Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, and Memphis Grizzlies were all reported as teams that have shown interest in Towns. The Milwaukee Bucks have long been considered a likely Towns trade destination, too, because the Knicks are viewed as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s preferred trade destination if he ends up committing to a trade request. It still seems unlikely that Towns would be moved, considering his first year in New York was just last season and was arguably his career year. Superstars are traded left and right in the modern NBA, though. So, if Towns were put on the trading block, which teams would serve as his best fit?

7. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors became a dynasty because of their small-ball philosophy. Fans have long wondered how the team would fare with an interior presence, though. Towns is one of the best centers in the NBA. Making the money work in a trade would be easier said than done for the Warriors, but as a pure fit, he would make some sense for Golden State.

With Stephen Curry on the roster, the Warriors prioritize the 3-point shot. Towns is an elite 3-point shooter who would let the Warriors continue with their style of play. Jimmy Butler just suffered a torn ACL. His contract would likely have to be included to make a trade for Towns work. The Warriors probably can’t reach contention status even after swapping an injured Butler for Towns, though. The Knicks surely wouldn’t want to trade for an injured player anyway.

6. Milwaukee Bucks

A Towns-to-Milwaukee trade probably only happens in a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While that decision would be understandable for the Knicks, considering The Greek Freak is a two-time MVP and one of the best players in the NBA, it would be questionable for the Bucks. Trading for draft capital and young assets would make more sense for the Bucks, but reports suggest that the Bucks would trade their franchise icon to a destination he wants to land in.

Towns’ fit in Milwaukee would be questionable because they already added Myles Turner in the offseason. Both Turner and Towns are great 3-point shooting big men, but they probably can’t share the floor together. A center logjam with two veterans wouldn’t get the Bucks set off on the right trajectory in life after Antetokounmpo, so they’d probably look to flip Towns in another trade if he ended up with the team. Still, they have to be mentioned as a fit because of the Antetokounmpo-for-Towns rumors.

5. Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers were a game away from becoming NBA champions last season. The mighty have fallen ever since, as they are now last in the Eastern Conference standings. Of course, Tyrese Haliburton’s injury is the biggest cause for Indiana’s regression. However, the departure of Myles Turner in free agency hasn’t done the team any favors.

The addition of Towns won’t help the Pacers contend this year, but he’d be a great addition for when the team is again led by Haliburton next season. Haliburton is arguably the best playmaker in the NBA, so Towns would surely benefit from playing alongside him.

4. Memphis Grizzlies

Of the three teams rumored as teams interested in Towns, the Memphis Grizzlies make the least sense, but they’d still be a pretty solid fit for Towns. Assuming he were dealt in a deal for the disgruntled Ja Morant, and not for Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies would have an impressive frontcourt pairing.

Both Towns and Jackson can shoot the three-ball, which would really open up the offense for some creative schemes and play designs. Their combined 3-point expertise would be tough for almost any opposing team to defend, too. Plus, Jackson’s rim protection would pair nicely with Towns.

Towns isn’t a terrible defender inside, but his blocks numbers have been down for a few seasons now. Jackson could cover for him in that regard as a former Defensive Player of the Year and multi-time league leader in blocks. Zach Edey is on Memphis’ roster, too. He has struggled with injuries through two seasons, so Towns’ presence on the roster would help limit his exposure to overuse and provide further insurance if he continues to hurt his ankles.

3. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards already made the biggest trade of the year, so what is stopping them from making another blockbuster deal? The Wizards dealt next to nothing for Trae Young, so they still have assets to create a package for Towns. Even with Young, Washington is still a ways away from contending.

Another All-Star addition would fast-track their rebuild. The Wizards are loaded with guards and wings. Alex Sarr is the only long-term option inside, though. The former number two pick could play alongside Towns. Defense would certainly be a concern on a Young/Towns-led team, but Washington is still one of his best trade fits.

2. Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets have three players who average 19 points per game. However, they’ve yet to take the next step forward when it comes to winning games. A glaring weakness at the center position is a big reason why. The Hornets are giving their center minutes to Ryan Kalkbrenner, Moussa Diabate, and Mason Plumlee.

Kalkbrenner has been solid during his rookie season, but he still seems best off in reserve duty. Towns would give the Hornets the boost they need. He fits the team’s philosophy, as both the Hornets and Towns like to shoot a lot of shots from beyond the arc. Towns would also surely thrive with an elite and unique passer like LaMelo Ball feeding him the ball, too.

1. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have long needed more 3-point shooting. That is why they traded four first-round picks and additional assets to acquire Desmond Bane in the offseason. The ex-Grizzlies wing has improved Orlando’s spacing, but they still rank just 28th in both 3-point makes (11 per game) and 3-point percentage (33.9%).

With Orlando’s two best players, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, being slashers who like to score inside, the Magic need players who thrive beyond the arc. Most centers aren’t great from deep, but Towns is the best 3-point shooting five-man in NBA history, making him the perfect fit for Orlando’s roster.

Now, acquiring Towns’ contract would likely mean including Jalen Suggs in a deal. This might not be the end of the world, though. Not only has Suggs struggled to stay on the floor throughout his career, but both Banchero and Wagner like to operate with the ball in their hands, so the Magic might be able to get away with not dedicating a lot of minutes to typical playmaking point guards. Anthony Black has really started to come on strong in recent months, too.

This is the year to go all in for Eastern Conference teams, so the Magic should trade for Towns before the trade deadline. They are by far his best trade destination.

The post Ranking 7 best Karl-Anthony Towns trade destinations if Knicks press panic button appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After Indiana sealed the victory with a field goal with a little over a minute left, doing just enough to keep Miami at bay after a late Malachi Toney touchdown made the Hoosiers sweat, the Pacers star published a heartfelt message as he continued to embrace the state of Indiana as his own (he hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin).

“A state has never deserved something more. Congrats @IndianaFootball ,” Haliburton wrote on his official account on X (formerly Twitter).

Haliburton knows more than nearly everybody just how much sporting success means to the people of Indiana. The Pacers received bonkers support in their run to the NBA Finals in 2025, and Indiana football’s breakthrough has to be very cathartic for a fanbase that’s come so close yet so far in terms of winning a championship.

Can Pacers follow in Indiana football’s footsteps?

The Hoosiers have undergone such a quick turnaround under Curt Cignetti, posting two consecutive seasons of incredible football that saw them qualify for the CFP. In 2024, they lost in the first round of the CFP, but this year, they broke through with an undefeated season and the natty to cap everything off.

As for the Pacers, they might be the league’s sleeping giant. Most of the core of their 2025 NBA Finals roster is injured, including Haliburton, and a few roster tweaks here and there, along with a high lottery pick in 2026, should put them well in shape for a major bounce-back season during the 2026-27 campaign.

The post Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton delivers touching message after Indiana football’s National Championship win appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In a display of pure raw athleticism, Edgecombe drove through the lane and rose up for a massive poster dunk over Pacers center Tony Bradley. The sheer force of the play brought the Philly fans to their feet, injecting a massive dose of energy into a tightly contested game.

VJ EDGECOMBE WITH THE AND-1 THROWDOWN

pic.twitter.com/xDEfHjAJNG

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 20, 2026

As the third quarter winds down, the 76ers hold a slim 82-81 lead in what has become a physical, back-and-forth battle. Philadelphia is leaning heavily on Tyrese Maxey, who is once again carrying the offensive load. Maxey, currently one of the NBA’s top scorers at 30.3 points per game, has been the engine for a Sixers team trying to protect their home court.

The Indiana Pacers, despite missing star Tyrese Haliburton, are refusing to go away. Andrew Nembhard has stepped up in a big way, tallying 18 points on efficient 7-of-13 shooting to keep Indiana within striking distance. Pascal Siakam has also been a handful, contributing 18 points and six assists as he directs the Pacers’ offense through the post.

With the game coming down to the wire, every possession is critical. Philadelphia is looking to Joel Embiid to anchor the defense in the closing minutes, while Indiana is finding success through secondary scoring from the likes of T.J. McConnell. Whether the Sixers can pull away or the Pacers steal one on the road, Edgecombe’s dunk has already claimed the title of the night’s biggest moment.

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McConnell reached the mark early. He delivered the historic assist in the first quarter as part of his usual high-energy floor leadership. Now in his 11th NBA season, the Arizona product has long built a reputation as one of the league’s most dependable bench conductors. He combines relentless pace with sharp decision-making. Averaging 10.0 points and 4.9 assists in 2025–26, McConnell continues to be a stabilizing force for a roster searching for consistency.

That consistency has been elusive for Indiana this season. The Pacers sit at 10-32, last in the Eastern Conference. Injuries have derailed momentum early and often. Haliburton’s Achilles injury looms largest. It has forced Andrew Nembhard into an expanded role while Pascal Siakam carries the primary scoring burden. Wins have been scarce, but effort has not.

For McConnell, the milestone adds another chapter to a career defined by perseverance. Despite missing time earlier in the year with a hamstring injury, he has remained a vocal leader and tone-setter. In a difficult season, his historic night, and Haliburton’s public salute, served as a reminder that even amid losses, meaningful moments still matter.

The post Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton complements TJ McConnell on ‘crazy’ historical accomplishment appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A few targets have already emerged for the Pacers, with the likes of Daniel Gafford and Ivica Zubac being linked to them. But another less heralded player could end up being the apple of Indiana’s eye, with sophomore center Yves Missi of the New Orleans Pelicans looming large as a potential trade-deadline acquisition — with impending free agent Bennedict Mathurin potentially going to New Orleans in the process.

“[Missi’s] available right now,” ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said on the Clutch Scoops show with Tomer Azarly. “He’s gonna be one of the best big men on the market if they truly do want to move him because he still has plenty of years left in his rookie contract, and he’s coming off an All-Rookie season. And the Pelicans, I’ve heard, do have interest from Bennedict Mathurin.”

(Skip to 18:40 for the relevant part.)

Morant? Kuminga? Latest NBA intel with @TomerAzarly and @BrettSiegelNBA — Clutch Scoops 1/15/2025 https://t.co/IOQoGwlmbK

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 15, 2026

As per Siegel, this rumor tracks with Jake Fischer of the Stein Line’s report that the Pacers have been looking into Missi.

Will Pelicans give up on Yves Missi?

The Pelicans were high on Derik Queen this past offseason, hence their decision to trade away their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks just so they could draft Queen. This has relegated Missi, who was one of the bright spots of their nightmare 2024-25 campaign, to a bench role.

Missi, however, still possesses plenty of upside as a rim-rolling rim-protector. He put up 12 points and 12 boards on Thursday night in a win over the Brooklyn Nets.

However, are the Pacers convinced enough of Missi’s potential that they’d decide to trade someone like Mathurin, who is arguably their best available trade asset, to bring him in?

The post NBA rumors: The Pacers-Pelicans trade that would swap 2 rising stars appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported this week that Indiana has contacted Atlanta to gauge the availability of Okongwu as the Pacers continue exploring options at center ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.

“At the bottom of the East, expectations persist that Indiana will chase big men for the present and future until the Feb. 5 buzzer sounds,” Fischer wrote. “I was told this week, for example, that Indiana has called Atlanta on Onyeka Okongwu in addition to its previously reported interest in players such as Dallas’ Daniel Gafford and the (perceived as much harder-to-get) Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers.”

Okongwu, 25, is in the midst of a career season with the Hawks. In his sixth NBA campaign, the former No. 6 overall pick is averaging 16.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 block per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from three-point range. He has appeared in 40 games, making 29 starts, and is playing 31.9 minutes per contest as Atlanta sits at 20–22.

From a contractual standpoint, Okongwu is under team control through the 2027–28 season. He is in the second year of a four-year, $61.9 million contract and is earning $15 million this season, a figure that could appeal to teams seeking long-term stability without committing to a maximum deal.

Pacers cast wide net in search for frontcourt help as trade deadline approaches

Indiana’s interest in Okongwu aligns with a broader frontcourt search sparked by its struggles near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The Pacers have also been linked to other big men across the league, including Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford and Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, though Fischer noted that Zubac is viewed by rival teams as far more difficult to acquire.

In addition to Okongwu, Fischer reported that the Pacers have registered interest in New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi. The 21-year-old second-year big man has seen a reduced role in New Orleans but remains on Indiana’s radar as a developmental option.

Missi is averaging 5.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 55 percent from the field across 35 appearances, including seven starts. He is playing 18.2 minutes per game for a Pelicans team that has struggled to a 10–33 record. Missi is in the second year of his four-year, $15.6 million rookie contract, which includes a team option for the 2027–28 season before restricted free agency.

For now, no deal appears imminent. Fischer noted that Indiana could ultimately decide to delay a significant move until the offseason, depending on market conditions and asking prices as the deadline nears.

The Pacers, now 9–32, saw their longest winning streak of the season end Wednesday night with a 115–101 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Indiana will look to rebound Friday night when it hosts the Pelicans at 7:00 p.m. ET before beginning a five-game road trip Saturday against the Detroit Pistons (28–10) at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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It has become Huff’s trademark move, with fans even joking that the 7-foot-1 pivot does not know how to dunk normally.

In the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Huff unleashed his favorite slam after sealing Jamal Shead in the paint.

It's always a reverse slam for Jay Huff pic.twitter.com/0mnx15HfJX

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 15, 2026

At this point, maybe he needs to copyright it or something. As the ancient philosophers said: If you can do anything in reverse, my guy, you do it.

The Pacers, however, lost to the Raptors, 115-101, to fall to 9-32, including 7-16 at home. Toronto, meanwhile, improved to 25-17, including 12-8 on the road.

Huff finished with seven points, four rebounds, and three blocks in 16 minutes. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.

Indiana acquired the 28-year-old Huff via a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason, hoping that he could fill in the void left by Myles Turner, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. Huff, however, has been largely inconsistent—except for dunking with his back towards the rim—although he has been more productive in recent games.

The undrafted big man out of Virginia is averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks. He has split minutes at center with Tony Bradley, Isaiah Jackson, and Micah Porter, as coach Rick Carlisle has been trying to find the right mix with their injury-stricken lineup.

The Pacers will try to bounce back on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

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As a result, he has missed the entire season while rehabbing. However, Haliburton recently offered insight into his recovery, giving Pacers fans a glimmer of hope, per Shakeia Taylor of The Athletic.

“There’s days where time feels like it’s flying by,” Haliburton said. “And there’s days where it feels like they can’t move any slower. I go through the ebbs and flows of it, but I feel really good. It’s been good for me to kind of be away a little bit, but I’m progressing really well. I’m really excited about my progress.”

It was Haliburton who rose to the occasion for the Pacers that got them to the Finals. His 90.9% clutchness was unheard of and endeared him to Indiana fans. Though the Pacers lost to the OKC Thunder in the NBA Finals, Haliburton won so many hearts.

As his recovery continues, he said the organization is seeing progress.

“I think our whole organization is excited about my progress and sometimes when I’m on the court coaches will come out and watch me work out, or the guys from the front office will watch me work out. I think people are excited to see the progress that I’m making, and that excites me, because I’ve really attacked this really hard, and I’m not working this hard for no reason.”

Tyrese Haliburton is taking the journey in stride

Certainly, Haliburton’s eventual return will plant the seed in fans’ minds that an immediate return to the Finals is expected. However, Haliburton himself recognizes it doesn’t work that way.

“I have to just understand — obviously ours is a little bit more dramatic — but there’ve been a lot of people who have lost in that (NBA Finals) stage and have had to work to get back there,” he said. “And sometimes you don’t get back there. That’s just the way it goes. I understand how hard I’m gonna have to work to get back there, and I plan on that.”

“So I’m excited about the journey that it’ll take to get back there, and I think that’ll make it feel even better. That’s what I think about more than anything.”

This season, the Pacers are 9-31 without Haliburton.

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Speaking to The Athletic, Jones discussed Haliburton’s rehab journey for his Achilles injury. Luckily, the Pacers star is on the mend, as he has gotten through the “hardest” part of the journey.

“The first couple months when he literally couldn’t walk were the hardest,” Jones said. “Tyrese doesn’t ever stop. He’s never experienced an injury like this in his career so it’s been an adjustment for him to be able to play basketball. It was something we’ve never had to overcome before.

“That was a struggle,” she added.

Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée, Jade Jones, has been by his side through his injury rehab

Luckily for Haliburton, he has had a strong support system around him during the recovery process. While Jones acknowledged that there are “hard days,” Haliburton remains “so easy to support.”

“Tyrese is so easy to support because he’s just a happy human being,” Haliburton’s fiancée revealed. “There are hard days and I just feel like we’re trying to focus on what we can control in the situation and what we can look forward to. …He was so excited to come home and tell me that he shot a free throw. We can’t control his injury, but we’ve accepted it for what it is.

“We celebrate his wins,” Jones continued.

Haliburton suffered his injury in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. It occurred in the first quarter, taking him out of the equation in the crucial game.

The Pacers would go on to lose the game. They also lost Haliburton for the entire 2025-26 NBA season due to his injury. So, he still has a long road ahead before his return to the court.

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