What Pacers Star Impresses Rick Carlisle?

Pascal Siakam offers the Pacers a balanced star. Although the 2019 NBA champion will never win an MVP or represent the small-market franchise as an All-Star starter, he has the tools to help them win at the highest level. 

The two-time All-Star averages 20 points on a career-high 41 percent mark from 3 for the 2024-25 season. However, it's not solely his outside shot that caught Carlisle's attention on Wednesday evening.

"He [Siakam] was tremendous. ... He was a big part of our great start to the game, Carlisle said. "As it went on, he kept making timely plays. If it wasn't a made shot or a rebound or a shift defensively. He was absolutely stellar." 

Siakam scored a game-high 37 points on highly efficient shooting splits. 

Shooting 71.4 percent from the field, 57 percent from deep, and 75 percent from the charity stripe, Siakam showcased his offensive versatility and punished the Pistons throughout the contest on both sides of the ball.

Along with Siakam's scoring, he finished with a block and six rebounds. Siakam doesn't have the flash, but he has the skills and veteran presence necessary for the Pacers to succeed. 

When the All-Star reserves are announced on Thursday, Siakam will become a point of emphasis at a certain point during TNT's broadcast, and if he isn't the topic, expect Carlisle to share frank honesty on the subject.