Pacers can't repeat what happened vs Wizards and they know it

INDIANAPOLIS – Rick Carlisle made things easy after the Pacers were crushed by the Wizards on Sunday. He said the words that most were thinking and left nothing open to the imagination.

"The way we played today is not acceptable," he said.

The Pacers have a poor record, but the Wizards came into Gainbridge Fieldhouse with the NBA's poorest win-loss rate. They are the worst team in the league. On November 28, they travelled to Indy and lost by 23 – the Pacers used that night to launch their new starting lineup and improved defense.

Washington showed up again Sunday, and they were even more injured this time. Yet they cruised, holding the Pacers to 23 points or fewer in three of the game's four quarters. The Pacers lost 108-89, scoring under 100 points at home for the first time since December 12, 2022.

"We didn't play hard enough," Carlisle said when asked about his team's offensive struggles.

Circle City Spin

The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, up close

Circle City SpinTony East

It was clear almost right away what the Pacers were – or, perhaps were not – about to do. They fell behind 4-0 and didn't produce a good shot attempt on either of their first two possessions, then Carlisle took a timeout. There was no flow or energy on the court. The Pacers did come out of that timeout with at least some pop, but it wasn't so much that they felt threatening, or even like the team that won four of their last six games entering the NBA Cup break.

Instead, they were going through the motions. "We didn't set the tone right. That first quarter usually does set the tone," starting center Jay Huff said. "Makes it a lot more difficult."

A few players brought some spirit to the court throughout the day. The Pacers were winning halfway through the second quarter and were surging midway through the third. At some points, it felt like a game where they'd mess around, then find their groove again and win thanks to their talent advantage.

But it's hard to flip that switch mid-game. The Pacers couldn't do it. They fell behind by as much as 22 in what ended up being a 19-point loss... to the Wizards. It was tied for Washington's biggest win this season – their four victories are by 19, 19, 10, and three.

"Not enough energy. Not the right spirit. Obviously, not enough aggression, physicality... we've got work to do," Carlisle said postgame. He offered interesting insight when asked how challenging it is to get back energy when it is missing early.

"It's not easy. That's why this is more of a first quarter league than a fourth quarter league," he began. "What you do in the first quarter, what you establish in the first quarter, at least carries through on some level."

The Pacers were winning after one frame, but Carlisle explained that his team had some fortunate made shots that weren't necessarily good looks. The quality never changed, but the lucky bounces stopped. The Pacers offense never got going.

It was among their worst performances of the season (the beatdown the Pacers took in Phoenix is still their worst, in my opinion) and the team knew it. Any sense of good energy the team had after winning a few times entering the NBA Cup break is gone.

Games like Sunday's do happen every season, and it befalls every team. For whatever reason, the energy is just off and the negative vibe is just contagious. Remember November of 2024 when Carlisle benched the Pacers entire starting five in an NBA Cup game against the Miami Heat? That was a similarly-poor effort night. I was there. Fans were booing.

There were no boos on Sunday. But there wasn't any energy, and nobody could lift the Pacers from their funk. "To a degree," Huff said when asked if negative energy can be contagious. "I feel like tonight, we just weren't ready."

Indeed, they were not. And just because it happens to every team at some point in every season doesn't make it okay. The Pacers can't have another game like that.

Elsewhere, at the same time as Pacers vs Wizards

Welcome to the pros, Kam Jones

While the Pacers were playing in downtown Indianapolis, rookie guard Kam Jones was with the Noblesville Boom. Unfortunately, watching the game live was challenging for me – the 5 p.m. tip overlapped with Pacers-Wizards, and NBATV was broadcasting a VERY long game between the Memphis Hustle and Osceola Magic that made it impossible to watch the Pacers and Jones at the same time.

One day later, though, the replay of the Boom's game against the Windy City Bulls was available. Jones' debut was a must watch – the 38th overall pick hadn't played yet this season due to a stress reaction in his lower back.

In summer league, he was slithery and patient, but his decision making was a work in progress. I bring up summer league because it's the only time I've seen him play in person. This Boom game was important – Jones was not only showing what he can do in the pros but also reconditioning and getting his body right.

He was restricted to 15 minutes of play, all of which would come in the first half. Something that helped Jones settle in: Pacers two-way contract guard Taelon Peter was on fire and scored 19 points on 7/9 shooting... in the first quarter. Jones had two assists to his fellow Pacer early.

Jones did well with his balance of speed and shiftiness to get where he needed to be with the ball. Bigger defenders could move him. But if Jones got a half step on his matchup he was often finding a shot or pass that he liked. His first stint ended with two assists, one turnover, and no shot attempts in just a few minutes of play.

In stint two, Jones got some shots up... and they went in. All of his makes were near the basket, but they were not easy finishes. His only jumper was a three-point shot just before the end of the first quarter that was off left.

In the end, Jones finished with six points, two rebounds, two assists, and one turnover. He'll need to hit a jump shot at some point to reach the levels that he showed collegiately and, at times, in summer league. But his wiggle on drives and patience with space were present. He got the ball where it needed to be. His defense, unsurprisingly given his size, comes with focus.

The Boom have a break in game action right now as the Showcase Cup standings get sorted out. They'll have two games between now and their next currently-scheduled outing on December 27. When those games are determine if Jones' next action could actually come in an NBA game – they'll both be played in Orlando during the Winter Showcase. His development and performance will be a storyline to follow in the coming weeks.

Also, shoutout to Isaiah Jackson

While the rest of the Pacers were lethargic and uninterested against Washington, Isaiah Jackson put his best foot forward every minute he was on the floor. While some other guys (Huff, T.J. McConnell, Jarace Walker, Ethan Thompson) played hard or played well at times, Jackson balanced effectiveness and effort better than anyone.

It's appalling how much his energy stood out. But with the rest of the team so listless, Jackson's speed and athleticism were extra noticeable. He finished with a double-double: 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Sometimes, players providing energy like that can spread it to the rest of the team. To no fault of Jackson, that didn't happen on Sunday. That sort of effort can't happen again. Even in a season where losses are a less painful result, there is little to gain and learn from a no-show. The Pacers must be better.

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