The lights were bright and the moment was big—but Pascal Siakam was bigger. With the Indiana Pacers needing a response in Game 2, it was @pskills43 who stepped up, delivered, and helped his team even the series with a statement win at home.
From the opening tip, Siakam played like a man on a mission. Calm, composed, and completely in control, he showcased the full range of his skill set—bullying defenders in the post, hitting mid-range jumpers, finishing through contact, and creating opportunities for his teammates. He finished with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, leading the Pacers to a 112-104 win in front of a raucous home crowd.
“Pascal was incredible tonight,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle after the win. “He gave us that veteran presence, that poise in big moments. We needed that edge, and he gave it to us.”
Siakam’s impact went beyond the box score. Every time the momentum began to shift, he was there—whether with a timely bucket, a defensive stop, or a hustle play that lit up the building. With Tyrese Haliburton facing heavy pressure and the game tightening late in the fourth quarter, it was Siakam who took control, scoring 8 straight points to help seal the win.
This is exactly why the Pacers traded for him. The two-time All-Star and NBA champion brought postseason experience and a winning mentality to a young, exciting Indiana squad. And now, in just his second playoff game as a Pacer, he’s already proving his value.
But Siakam didn’t do it alone.
Tyrese Haliburton, despite battling double-teams all night, orchestrated the offense with his usual blend of creativity and unselfishness, tallying 17 points and 10 assists. His connection with Siakam is growing with every game, and when the two are clicking, Indiana’s offense hums.
Myles Turner also delivered in a big way, putting up 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks while anchoring the paint and spacing the floor with his shooting. His defensive presence was key, particularly in the third quarter when the Pacers went on a 14-2 run that gave them the lead for good.
Off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin and TJ McConnell provided an energy boost that shifted the tide. Mathurin scored 12 with a couple of momentum-changing threes, while McConnell’s hustle plays and pressure defense helped disrupt the opposing backcourt.
Meanwhile, the visiting team struggled to match Indiana’s intensity for most of the night. After taking Game 1 with strong perimeter shooting and tough defense, they couldn’t contain Siakam’s versatility or keep up with the Pacers’ ball movement in Game 2. Despite a late push led by their star guard, it wasn’t enough to overcome Indiana’s execution down the stretch.
Now, with the series tied 1-1, it heads to enemy territory—but the Pacers will carry momentum with them. They’ve proven they can respond when their backs are against the wall, and with Pascal Siakam leading the way, they’ve got a go-to guy who knows what it takes to win in the playoffs.
“Game 3 is going to be a battle,” Siakam said. “But we like where we are. We’ve got heart, we’ve got talent, and we’ve got each other. That’s all we need.”
The Pacers came into this postseason with something to prove—and thanks to @pskills43’s Game 2 heroics, they’ve sent a message loud and clear: this team is for real, and they’re just getting started.
