1 New Year’s resolution for every team in 2024: Central Division
By Tyler Key
Pacers Resolution: Hone in on a finalized starting five.
Indiana needs… to figure out their best group of five and give them an extended period of time starting together. The Pacers have trotted out nine different starting lineups this year, with the only three seemingly-secured starters being Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, and Bruce Brown.
The opening-night lineup saw those three joined by Obi Toppin and Benedict Mathurin. During Indiana’s most recent 3-game win streak, however, Haliburton and Turner were joined by Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Jalen Smith (in part due to a knee injury to Bruce Brown).
When fully healthy, the Pacers arguably have 11 players worthy of playing nightly-minutes. Coach Rick Carlisle will need to decide who will be the starters as the season progresses and also which 8-9 players will make up his playoff rotation in June.
The Pacers are on pace (no pun intended) to make their first playoff appearance since 2019–2020. Additionally, Indiana having a budding superstar in Haliburton gives them their best chance at winning a playoff series since 2013–2014. It is certainly a fun time to jump on the Pacers bandwagon.