Evaluating Pascal Siakam’s Initial Performance with the Pacers: Assessing Forward’s Compatibility and Potential with Tyrese Haliburton
Pascal Siakam is gradually finding his comfort zone in Indianapolis, and his adjustment to the new environment appears to be a positive development.
Following three consecutive losses in a Pacers uniform, Siakam played a pivotal role in securing a significant victory, contributing the sixth triple-double of his career to propel Indiana to the first of three consecutive wins. Just over a week into his tenure with the Pacers, Siakam expressed on Instagram, “I could get used to this,” a sentiment likely shared by Indiana fans.
Although the partnership between Siakam and the Pacers is in its early stages, it’s worthwhile to examine his progress in the blue and gold.
😎😎😎 https://t.co/Sds2qsLIG4 pic.twitter.com/WMkBTnoOt6
— Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) January 22, 2024
Analyzing Pascal Siakam’s Early Impact with the Pacers
Before delving too deeply into the early results, it’s crucial to acknowledge that Siakam joined the Indiana team to collaborate with All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton. However, Haliburton returned from a hamstring injury to play alongside Siakam in his Pacers debut, only to return to the inactive list for another five games.
While the five-game absence might seem small in the broader context, it looms large within a six-game sample size.
Through six games as a Pacer, Siakam has been averaging 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, shooting 57.6 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. Notably, the majority of his contributions came without the assistance of the league’s assists leader.
To provide perspective, five of Siakam’s nine field goals in his initial Pacers game were assisted by Haliburton. However, the statistics during Haliburton’s absence underscore why the Pacers made the move to acquire Siakam—he has the ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle emphasized the value of a 6-9 playmaking power forward in today’s NBA and praised Siakam’s diverse skills on both ends of the floor, highlighting his compatibility with Tyrese and his overall fit within the team.
Siakam faced a disadvantage at the start of his Pacers tenure due to the trade’s timing and the team’s ongoing road trip. Despite limited practice time with his new teammates, Siakam found ways to contribute, showcasing his standing as a reliable player.
Carlisle’s expectations for Siakam align with a comprehensive assessment of his contributions thus far. Although it’s a small sample size, Siakam is rebounding and shooting more efficiently than during his time with Toronto this season. Defensively, his versatility addresses several of the Pacers’ issues, particularly in small-ball lineups.
While questions persist about the Pacers’ defense, Siakam’s adaptability fills gaps on that end of the floor. The one-game sample size suggests that Siakam and Haliburton could form a productive partnership, with chemistry likely to develop over time.
As the Pacers aim to make a playoff return, Siakam’s role as a secondary playmaker provides Coach Carlisle with lineup flexibility—a significant advantage for Indiana’s depth. When Haliburton is on the bench, Siakam can take on the primary creator role in reserve-heavy lineups, ensuring opposing defenses face constant pressure. Siakam’s scoring and playmaking abilities offer multiple dimensions of threat, complementing Indiana’s existing strengths.
In the early stages, Siakam’s performance in a Pacers uniform indicates potential for improvement over time. While there’s room for growth, it’s primarily the natural progression—and challenges—that will accompany Haliburton’s complete return to the lineup.
Overall Grade: B+
Pascal Siakam’s Pacers Stats:
– 21.3 points per game
– 7.7 rebounds per game
– 5.7 assists per game
– 0.8 steals per game
– 1.7 turnovers per game
– 57.6 percent field goal shooting
– 38.5 percent 3-point shooting
– 65.4 percent free throw shooting
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