INDIANAPOLIS — This is why Indiana traded for Pascal Siakam. On nights like Friday’s Game 6 win over the Pacers and his 116-103 Game 7 win.
Siakam repaid his faith with a team-high 25 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals to lead the young Pacers past the Knicks.
“It feels good. I mean, obviously it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been a part of a team. But yeah, I’m happy to have the support from everyone and just be here,” Siakam said. said. “Of course after the game [5], we just wanted to respond as a team and I thought we did a good job of that. Yes, I’m happy to be a part of this team and I want to keep going and win on Sunday. ”
Siakam is the only Pacers player who knows what real winning feels like.
He won an NBA title with the Raptors in 2019, and Indiana traded three first-round draft picks to the Raptors midway through the season because of his performance.
It was for his leadership, especially in the sweaty palms of the game.
However, he scored eight points in the second quarter, leading 32-21, and when the game slowed down in the third and fourth quarters, he showed himself with veteran post-up play.
“Look, he’s a great player. We got him because we wanted to get to the playoffs and be able to make the playoffs. But we’re also building something,” the coach said. Rick Carlisle said. “We’re trying to build something special here. And we think he’s a special player as well as a special person. So in the second half, the 7-foot There were some possessions where he was the only player on our roster who could take a 16-foot shot over a player and make it.
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“And he did it three or four times in the third and fourth quarter. So, yeah. Listen, in a series like this, you can’t sit back and pat yourself on the back. That’s going to be terrible in the next game. So after this game, I’m going to keep the celebration very short, if at all, and get ready for Sunday afternoon.”
Siakam was effective, going 11-of-21 from the floor and tearing through the Knicks’ defense with foul-line jumpers and cuts to the rim.
“You know, when they put an undersized guy on him, we need him to do what he needs to do and attack the paint and be a sneaky beast and defend. It’s tough. It puts pressure on their defense and drives it when he goes and makes it easier to kick out,” Aaron Nesmith said.
“I mean, he didn’t force anything. He just let the game take care of himself. I mean, he’s just a special player,” TJ McConnell said. “I was thinking about him when we traded him.” [to have games] He brings a bucket when you really need it, like he did here, and brings a different dynamic to this team. And he was incredible. ”
