NBA Notes: Pacers, Pascal Siakam, Kings, Russell Westbrook, Mavericks

Pacers

Pacers forward Pascal Siakam says he’s keeping it positive, even as the injuries get ridiculous.

“It’s almost laughable,” Siakam said, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “As bad as it’s getting, I know there’s going to be another side of it.”

He isn’t wrong. Indiana is basically patchwork right now. Aaron Nesmith is taking five more shots per game than he ever has. Jarace Walker has gone from a 4.8-attempt rookie to 12.6 this season.

Coach Rick Carlisle says that’s just what survival looks like.

“We have a lot of guys playing unusual positions,” Carlisle said. “But the spirit is good.”

The Pacers are 1-6. No one can say they aren’t scrambling. Oh, and for the record, they started 11-15 last season before reaching Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Kings

Russell Westbrook returned to Denver and almost ripped the place apart (26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists), but it ended in a 130–124 loss.

He did not sugarcoat his feelings.

“They didn’t want me back,” Westbrook said.

Westbrook signed for the minimum with the Nuggets last summer. He played 75 regular-season games. He had an minutes in multiple playoff series. But when his player option came up, he says the Nuggets basically told him not to pick it up.

Nuggets coach David Adelman still praised the professionalism.

“He’s the most consistent energy guy I’ve ever been around,” Adelman said.

Westbrook is in Sacramento now. And still playing with a chip.

As a related aside, in case you missed it, the Kings are signing big man Precious Achiuwa to help with the frontcourt. We have that full story here.

Mavericks

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd walked back the “Kyrie Irving might be back before 2026” buzz.

“When I made the statement … it was more like, we would love to have him back,” Kidd said, via Christian Clark of The Athletic. “But we don’t have a schedule.”

Irving tore his ACL in April.

So the timeline remains the same. Basically, there is no timeline.