Pacers Announce Pascal Siakam News After Leaving Hornets Game
The Indiana Pacers are having a difficult season after finishing as the No. 4 seed last year and riding great momentum all the way to the NBA Finals. However, a serious Achilles injury to superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton has fundamentally changed the team’s season, leaving them without their main playmaker.
As a result, the Pacers have battled to achieve consistency and now look to be focused on the future, possessing both their own first-round selection and a crucial second-round trade in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Without Haliburton, the Pacers have relied heavily on Pascal Siakam to carry the offensive load. The Pacers enter Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets on a one-game losing streak, and they have continued to depend on their seasoned forward to keep the club competitive.
Siakam is averaging 23. 9 points, 6. 6 rebounds, and 3. 8 assists in 61 games this season, with a 48. 3% field goal percentage and a 35. 6% three-point shooting percentage. Despite the team’s continuing difficulties, his ability to play in transition, make his own shot, and defend numerous spots has helped to stabilize it.
His all-around contribution has cemented his reputation as one of the Pacers’ most crucial players throughout this period.
Siakam turned in another outstanding effort in Friday’s game against Charlotte. In 34 minutes of play, he had 30 points on 13-of-24 shooting, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
However, late in the fourth quarter, the game took a troubling turn. Siakam departed with a sore lower back with 3:48 remaining and was replaced by Micah Potter. Moments before the game ended, the Pacers announced on the team’s official X account that Siakam would not return.
The injury casts question on the Pacers’ future plans, especially because the seriousness is unclear. Siakam, a four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, and 2019 NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, is still the team’s primary focus point.
He also received the 2018-19 Most Improved Player award and the 2024-25 Eastern Conference Finals MVP with the Pacers.
His next chance to assess his worth will be on Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a game that may shed some light on his availability in the future. Indiana might choose to keep him out for the rest of the year because the team has been removed from playoff consideration.
