Ben Sheppard earning trust of Indiana Pacers with his hard play and quality performances
Prior to January 15, Indiana Pacers rookie Ben Sheppard only played in more than three games in a row one time. He reached 10+ minutes of playing time four times in 39 outings. His minutes primarily came in garbage time or during games in which the Pacers were dealing with injuries.
Since then, Sheppard has grown into something much more important. On January 15th specifically, the 2023 first-round draft pick played for 25 minutes, a then career high. Three nights later, Sheppard had seven points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a win over the Sacramento Kings, and he played over 28 minutes.
Suddenly, between injuries and trades, Sheppard was an important piece for the blue and gold. He was one of the team's best five defenders available. His jumper was progressing. He nailed the details. Sheppard had his rookie moments, but he was a reliable bench tool for Indiana.
"The thing that I've admired about Ben Sheppard most is that he's a process-oriented player," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said recently of the rookie wing/guard. That approach to the game is why Sheppard has improved steadily throughout his rookie season, and why he's been playing for the team more often.
From January 15 until the All-Star break, Sheppard played in 16 of Indiana's 17 games. He averaged 15.5 minutes per night, and he earned those minutes despite some crummy shooting splits. That speaks to his defensive abilities and his energy level.
"He's running full steam all the time," Indiana Mad Ants, the G League affiliate of the Pacers, head coach Tom Hankins said of Sheppard. He's coached the rookie in nine outings and loves his motor. "He even has to dial it back I think some on offense," he added, sharing that sometimes Sheppard needs to go from fourth gear down to third.
While that may be true, and something the 26th overall pick in the most recent draft is working on, Sheppard views his energy as one of his biggest assets. "I think the team looks at me for energy," Sheppard explained. "However that is, when it's on the bench, standing up for my teammates. Or diving for a loose ball, like I was last night."
The last night he is referring to there is a game in late January. The Pacers were in a close battle with the Denver Nuggets in Indianapolis, and they were searching for answers against two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Denver outscored Indiana 39-19 in the third quarter that night, and they led by 12 entering the final period. Enter Sheppard, who hadn't played yet that evening to that point. In the final period, he had multiple moments where he made a crucial defensive play with his effort, and the Pacers were able to tie the game up later in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, the blue and gold still lost. But Sheppard was 2/2 with five points, one rebound, one assist, and one steal against the defending champs, and he almost flipped the result. That's what he can do, and that's why he's been playing more of late.
"It's definitely good," Sheppard said of playing more often after that Denver game. "I didn't play until the fourth quarter last night, but I stayed ready and just played my game and played how my team needed to play."
His teammates loved it. "Ben Sheppard, I'm very proud of him. Gave us a spark," veteran guard T.J. McConnell said.
Sheppard provides something that is hard to find — defense on the wing. It's rare in the NBA in general, and it's unusual that rookies can defend capably. Most defensive impact stats rate Sheppard as an average level defender already.
His footwork is impressive, and he never gives up on a play. Carlisle said that the Pacers noticed that Sheppard could be a capable defender during his pre-draft workout with the franchise. "He had a great workout. It was a live workout, I believe it was three-on-three. He was very active," Carlisle said, noting that the guard was good on both ends. "What we saw with our eyes that day, and also what we saw in Chicago (at the NBA Draft Combine) indicated to us that he was certainly a first-round consideration and a guy that could potentially help us this year."
The Pacers best defensive lineup may have Sheppard in it. He's been one of the team's better stoppers this season, and that's gotten him on to the floor. Granted, in recent weeks the team has been unhealthy and gone through several trades. But Sheppard has been more than worthy of the playing time he has received.
Sheppard thinks that his defensive capabilities are the biggest change in his game from the start of the season until now. He said that he thinks he can guard positions one through four, and going against Tyrese Haliburton, among other talented Pacers players, in practice has helped him improve on the less glamorous end of the floor.
That showed up in a big moment last week. In the Pacers final game before the All-Star break, Sheppard was on the floor often as Indiana battled the Toronto Raptors. They needed him with Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith absent due to injury.
On the final possession of the game, the Pacers were up by two and needed a stop. Carlisle left Sheppard in the game. "I knew they were going to go after me," Sheppard said. He is a rookie, after all, and he was guarding RJ Barrett.
He stood his ground and got it done, contesting Barrett's shot and forcing a miss that secured a Pacers win. "I feel like I can guard anybody," Sheppard said.
"It's a confidence builder for sure," Carlisle added of Sheppard's performance that night. Not only was his defense needed, he also had a career-high 10 points and made two important three-point jumpers.
The Pacers have been telling Sheppard to be more aggressive. They trust him to shoot, even with his three-point percentage being sub-30%. The hope is that he will continue to get to the rim, and Sheppard is getting used to his NBA club giving him so much trust.
"It's pretty easy because of the chemistry we've got here," Sheppard said of slotting into his role. His parents text him words of encouragement before every game, which helps keep his confidence high.
He wants to keep shooting and believes he will make shots. He's had good games of late, including his career night in Toronto. "It definitely builds a lot of confidence. I had a turnover mid fourth quarter, and coach just let me rock out," Sheppard said.
The Pacers have faith in Sheppard. He keeps proving them right with his energy and shooting. As the All-Star break ends, Indiana will hope that Sheppard's impact can continue down the stretch.
- Tyrese Haliburton spends All-Star weekend as the face of the NBA, winning comes next. CLICK HERE.
- Doug McDermott adjusting to trade and studying how to help the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- One-on-one with former Indiana Pacers great Metta Sandiford-Artest (Ron Artest) during NBA All-Star weekend. CLICK HERE.
- Tyrese Haliburton shows off in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game with a home crowd watching. CLICK HERE.
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