What would the play-in tournament mean for the Indiana Pacers? 'That's everyone in this locker room's goal'
The Indiana Pacers have 10 games left in their season and sit 2.5 games out of the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, which is the final spot that makes the play-in tournament. It will be difficult for the blue and gold to reach the play-in proceedings. But it's not impossible. They could catch the Chicago Bulls with a strong close to the campaign, though they have to balance that chase with draft positioning.
The Pacers have a younger squad, and nine of the 17 players on the roster have never played in a playoff game (Oshae Brissett has participated in two play-in games but not a postseason outing). That experience would have some value, especially as the franchise attempts to evaluate which players will be a part of the next great Pacers group.
"Anything can happen in the next 11 games. We're still in a position to make this play-in tournament, and that's everyone in this locker room's goal is to get to that spot," Indiana big man Myles Turner said over the weekend. Turner has played in 26 postseason games for the franchise, including the team's most recent playoff win in 2018.
It's difficult to numerically contextualize how much play-in or playoff experience can help a younger player. It doesn't lead to an immediate jump in skill, and it doesn't guarantee growth. But it does have value, even if it can't be quantified, and some Pacers players believe that can be helpful long term.
"It helped me in terms of valuing every possession and knowing how important it is to take care of the ball, how important every defensive possession is," Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith, who played in 20 postseason outings when he was with the Boston Celtics, said of playoff basketball. Nesmith also appeared in five NBA Finals games.
"Just making sure you're locked in every time you step on the floor. Not something you can reproduce without being in it," Nesmith added, noting that those benefits don't necessarily materialize immediately.
Fittingly, though, Nesmith is having a career-best season just one year removed from playing on a team that made a deep playoff run. Getting more opportunity has undoubtedly helped the young wing grow, but his experiences were important.
Those could be applied to many members of Indiana's current roster. Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and Andrew Nembhard play in the Pacers regular season rotation but have never played in a postseason game. Getting that experience could be valuable.
"I think it'd be huge for us. We've exceeded expectations for this year. For us to be able to go out there and make the play-in and make the playoffs would be huge for us, huge for the organization in my opinion," Nesmith said. "So that's what we're going to try to do."
Elfrid Payton, a former NBA lottery pick who now plays for Indiana's G League affiliate team, has made the postseason twice and thought the trials were favorable for his career.
"It's huge, it's huge. The playoffs is a different game," Payton shared. "The intensity level is high. It takes more preparation. If you can prepare like that during the regular season, it's going to take your game to a higher level."
Those within the Pacers who have experienced the playoffs, and the atmosphere of those games, all think it positively benefited them. A similar impact could be expected on other players should the blue and gold reach the play-in this season.
Rookie guard Bennedict Mathurin, for example, would love to reach the playoffs. He noted that not many rookies get to impact their team in a way that leads to a postseason berth, but he's been proud of his contributions this year as the Pacers sit just outside of the tournament picture.
"It would mean everything to me," Mathurin said in February of making the play-in games. "It's an opportunity for us to prove people wrong but also to work for ourselves."
That same day, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said his messaging is all about daily processes. Indiana has been looking to develop players while winning down the stretch of the ongoing season, and that is where a focus on habits can be key. Indiana wants to develop while winning.
Making winning the number one priority would help the team's play-in odds. But the Pacers have to consider the development part of the equation and draft lottery odds down the stretch. They currently would have the seventh pick in the NBA Draft if the season ended today, though that number could feasibly end up being anywhere from six to 12. The heightened odds matter to the younger team.
And since Indiana is so early in a rebuild, development has to be a priority as well. Making players better and more well-rounded will go a long way for this team in the future, especially with the base that they have already constructed.
If the blue and gold can develop and win at the same time, that is their ideal scenario. Tyrese Haliburton's current ankle injury has made that a difficult task, though. Either way, making the play-in game would certainly have value to the Pacers roster. The question that the Pacers have to answer is if that experience is the best thing for the team going forward.
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