it’s a huge loss to lose haliburton for a whole season, but mathurin and nembhard will be one of the nba’s top backcourts and a formidable team. a trip to the eastern conference finals is still very much in the cards, in my opinion, if they win 50 or more games….
Losing Tyrese Haliburton for the entire season is undoubtedly a massive blow for the Indiana Pacers. His leadership, playmaking, and poise were the heartbeat of the team. However, all is far from lost. Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard are poised to take on expanded roles, and together, they have the potential to become one of the most exciting young backcourts in the NBA. Mathurin’s scoring instincts, athleticism, and confidence combined with Nembhard’s high IQ, defensive tenacity, and steady growth as a floor general make them a dangerous duo.
The Pacers have also built depth and cohesion under Coach Rick Carlisle, which shouldn’t be underestimated. If the team rallies around the loss, maintains their defensive identity, and finds offensive balance, winning 50 or more games isn’t out of reach. That level of success would position them well for a deep playoff run. In a wide-open Eastern Conference, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals is still a realistic goal. It will require collective growth, resilience, and consistent performance from everyone on the roster—but don’t count Indiana out just yet. This could be the year Mathurin and Nembhard truly break out and lead the Pacers to new heights.
