Two-way players shine as Pacers move one loss away from top lottery odds
The Pacers have almost lost enough.
INDIANAPOLIS – 61 down, one more to go. After the Pacers lost against the Timberwolves on Monday night, the team is just one defeat away from securing a bottom-three record – and in turn, the top possible odds in the May 10 draft lottery.
If the Pacers win out, their worst possible lottery odds would be 47.43%, a number that would climb to 50% if the Utah Jazz or Sacramento Kings win another game. In short – the Pacers are close to coin flip odds to keep their pick now and are just a few results away from the best possible percent chance of keeping their 2026 first-round draft pick.
In being handed loss number 61, the Pacers were beaten by the Timberwolves thanks to math. Offensive rating is a simple equation: points divided by possessions (times one hundred). Those are the two factors a team can look to in order to have a better offensive rating, score more efficiently per trip (the points part) or have more chances to score (the possessions part).
Tony East
Minnesota owned both categories against the Pacers. They made six threes less than six minutes into the game and finished with 17. The Pacers made nine and only attempted 26. At one point, the Wolves had made as many threes (15) as the Pacers had attempted. The points, and efficiency, battle favored the visitors.
And the possession game was a mess. The Pacers average just over 14 turnovers per game, yet they had 16 at halftime. By the end of the night, they had 22. Minnesota finished with 18 – a big number, but still fewer – and they won the offensive rebounding battle by five.
"I thought we were color blind. We kept throwing it to them," head coach Rick Carlisle said of the turnovers. "Right now, the way we're set up, we've got to play fast and in space. We got in trouble playing in crowds."
The Timberwolves, partially aided by the Pacers taking more free throws, attempted 16 more shots on Tuesday night while also shooting a better percentage from the field and from deep. They won the math problem, and the game, convincingly.
The final score was 124-104. Three more outings for the Pacers – if they go 2-1 or worse they will finish the season in the best possible spot as it pertains to lottery odds.
Two-way success
I enjoyed something Carlisle noted postgame about the players who have been playing down the stretch of this season. With so many guys injured, the deep rotation players for the Pacers are getting a unique opportunity.
"During one of the timeouts in the fourth quarter, I said to the guys, 'Just think about this. You guys are getting to play unconditional minutes in an NBA game and just go out there and let it all hang out. I mean, what can be better than this?' And they all started smiling," Carlisle said.
All three two-way contract players received big minutes. Rookie Kam Jones did as well. 10 guys suited up, seven of them weren't on the team one year ago. It's a group looking to prove themselves deep in the rotation, and they're getting a chance now.
Two guys, both on two-way deals, popped against the Timberwolves: Ethan Thompson and Jalen Slawson. Thompson, who has been a scoring machine in the G League, poured in a team-high 17 points and lived at the foul line. He's got some wiggle with the ball.
Slawson continues to impress. He shot 6/7 from the field and has been working on his jump shot form with assistant Jenny Boucek. His defense has been good, too. Slawson played 34 minutes and had an even plus-minute. That means the Pacers were -20 in 14 minutes without him.
I asked both players what it means to them to get unconditional minutes, and thus more chances to prove themself. "This is a great opportunity for us, especially in the position that we're in, to showcase how we can impact an NBA game. Grateful for the opportunity," Thompson said.
Slawson: "A high-level organization," he said of the Pacers before complimenting the coaching staff. "The game reps help tremendously, being able to be coached by them is an elite opportunity as well."
Unrelated – this was the first time Thompson has spoken to reporters since his dad watched him play in Chicago, then posted about it. I asked him about the experience. "It was a great, great feeling for sure being able to look up in the stands and see him there," he said. "That was his first time seeing me professionally in person." His dad, Stephen, is an assistant coach at Oregon State, so it's hard for him to get away during the NBA calendar. But Ethan is still playing, and his dad came to the Midwest for the Final Four. Stephen finally saw his son in person.
Tyrese Haliburton plays five-on-five
For the first time since suffering a ruptured Achilles during Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton is playing five-on-five basketball.
The star guard made the announcement on social media. It's a big step for Haliburton and the Pacers, and he'll now add in more contact and get into game shape. After a slight change in rehab plans thanks to his shingles diagnosis in February, Haliburton is back on track with the offseason approaching.
A short absence for Rick Carlisle
Carlisle won't be coaching the Pacers for their game in Brooklyn or at home on Friday. "I'm not going to be with the team the next two games," he said. Herb Simon and Kevin Pritchard cleared Carlisle for his absence.
The reason? Spring formal for his daughter, Abby, at The University of Virginia. Carlisle will be back for the season finale on Sunday.
Pacers-Nets is tonight, the last game of the season for the Pacers with massive inverse standings implications. It's also their final road game. A story tomorrow, then more from the final two home games. Sign up and they will be emailed directly to you.
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