The Indiana Pacers open their season tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals. The spotlight, however, is less on the rivalry and more on how Indiana will cope without Tyrese Haliburton.<\/p>
The immediate answer for the Indiana Pacers is Andrew Nembhard. The third‑year guard has shown flashes of maturity beyond his age, particularly in his ability to defend and run the offense with composure. While he doesn’t have Haliburton’s elite vision or scoring punch, Nembhard is steady, disciplined, and capable of keeping the offense organized. Expect him to handle the bulk of the point guard duties, especially in half‑court sets.<\/p>
The Pacers will also lean on Bennedict Mathurin to shoulder more of the scoring load. Mathurin, entering his third season, has the athleticism and confidence to attack defenses, and his role will expand as a secondary creator. Veteran forward Pascal Siakam<\/a> is another key piece. Though not a guard, Siakam’s ability to initiate offense from the high post and create mismatches will help Indiana diversify its attack.<\/p>