When Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles just minutes into Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers’ entire long-term outlook changed. Not only would they go on to lose the series, but they also will not see Haliburton take the court until the fall of 2026. The All-NBA point guard is going to miss all of this season as he recovers, leaving Indiana to rely on their depth for this year.
The injury troubles have not stopped there. Reserve point guard TJ McConnell is out for the next month due to a hamstring injury. Bennedict Mathurin is currently out with a toe injury, as is Andrew Nembhard with a shoulder injury.
Obi Toppin is also out for a month due to a hamstring, and forward Johnny Furphy is dealing with a foot injury. What could go wrong, has gone wrong for Indiana this year, and given the fact that they are ravaged with injuries, this could lead to them changing their goal for the season.
The Indiana Pacers might have to start tanking soon
The Pacers expressed that they wanted to remain competitive in the absence of Haliburton, and that looked realistic in a weak Eastern Conference. A team led by Pascal Siakam, and all the depth that helped them reach the finals last year is good enough to compete in the East. However, after all the injuries, Indiana may just have to pivot.
The Pacers made the shrewd move of re-acquiring their first-round pick from the Pelicans for the 2026 draft, and with a stacked class on the horizon, adding a top pick to their core would increase their odds of contention when Haliburton returns. It’ll also extend their title window, and having an elite talent on a rookie contract for four years would give them even more flexibility.
The 2026 draft class is stacked
Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Mikel Brown Jr., and others headline the 2026 class. Adding an elite prospect should be the Pacers’ goal. Getting their pick back is huge for their long-term outlook, and can allow them to tank. They aren’t pigeon-holed into competing for this year.
Additionally, starting a tank will allow Indiana to see which young players are ready for larger roles. Guys like Furphy, Ben Sheppard, Isaiah Jackson, and Taelon Peters would benefit from extended run, as they need the reps.
It is still early in the season and Indiana could get healthy. However, is it really worth pursuing a play-in or first round exit with an undermanned squad? We’ll see what the Pacers prioritize.