How Did NBA Reward Pascal Siakam?

Averaging 20.5 points, on a career-high 41 percent mark from 3, with the Pacers at the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference helped earn Siakam his third All-Star selection. 

Siakam hadn't made the All-Star game since 2023, but the good news came in during TNT's All-Star reservation segment before Thursday's games on the network. 

Despite the Pacers starting the season as a lower-end NBA Play-In Tournament tier team, Siakam's steady hand guided them to the fifth seed, only one loss from the fourth. 

While having Haliburton and Siakam represent the Pacers would have made for a great story, the former player's rocky start essentially doomed him from such a feat. However, Pacers fans can rejoice as their team received recognition for their bounce-back performance in the 2024-25 campaign.

Furthermore, it could be worse, as Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, the leader in assists for the 2024-25 season, received a bizarre snub - at least the Pacers have one player to represent their franchise during such a celebrated event.  

While Siakam represents the Pacers franchise at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, for All-Star Weekend, Haliburton can use the much-needed break to reflect on why he missed such an event.

Siakam earned his spot on the star-studded roster due to his professionalism and championship pedigree; such attributes will come in handy once the 2025 postseason commences.