Sunday State of the Pacers: The Zubac Era Begins + Nesmith and Obi Find Some Rhythm

It’s the fourth installment of Sunday State of the Pacers, and this week featured a busy stretch with four games as Indiana faced the Kings, Suns, Knicks, and Bucks. The Pacers went 0–4 on the week, but several of those games were competitive well into the final minutes. Ultimately, late-game defensive breakdowns and a lack of timely shot making proved to be the difference as Indiana struggled to close games out. There were still some bright spots. Aaron Nesmith continued his strong run of play, delivering another productive week, and fans got their first look at Ivica Zubac in a Pacers uniform, adding an intriguing new element to the lineup as he works his way into the rotation. We break down the key performances from the week, discuss the defensive issues that continue to surface late in games, and examine where the roster stands as the season enters its final stretch. We also look ahead to the week to come, with Indiana heading back on the road to Madison Square Garden, returning home to face Portland, and wrapping up the week in San Antonio. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.