Pascal

Siakam

Siakam sat out Monday against the Hawks as the Pacers rested their starters. The 32-year-old forward was back Wednesday, scored 20 points and had a full stat line in the win over the Grizzlies. Siakam and the Pacers have one game remaining this week, against the Nuggets at home Saturday.

Rookie Braden Smith is getting his second career start after playing well last game. The rest of the Pacers lineup is what you would expect without Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubac is back in the lineup for Jay Huff.

Siakam is back after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Hawks. Jalen Slawson should head to the bench after making a spot start on Monday.

Siakam will join the starters on the sideline, and he could be replaced in the first unit by Obi Toppin (back), who has been upgraded to questionable. Jay Huff should see big frontcourt minutes with Ivica Zubac (ankle) still on the shelf.

In the three games the Pacers have played since losing Tyrese Haliburton to a hamstring strain, Siakam has averaged 18.7 points per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field. That isn’t necessarily bad, but not sharing the floor with a lead guard as talented as Haliburton lowers Siakam’s ceiling. On Sunday, he scored just four points in the second half, shooting 1-of-3 from the field. The Pacers play three games next week, starting with the Hawks on Monday.

After a stellar showing on Wednesday in Indiana’s first game since losing Tyrese Haliburton to a hamstring strain, Siakam was held in check by the Timberwolves. He missed all five three-point attempts, which hurt his overall field-goal percentage. Haliburton doesn’t have a firm return timeline, but the Pacers will rely even more on Siakam in their point guard’s absence. Nights like Friday won’t become the norm for Siakam, but no Haliburton is a big deal.

Pascal did his best to lead the Pacers without Haliburton in this game and did a good job scoring the ball. He was a monster on the boards as the Pacers out hustled the 76ers in this game. We have at least two weeks before Haliburton comes back, so sit back and enjoy the production but also recognize that it might come down a bit once Haliburton comes back.

Siakam’s double-double on Monday was his first of the season, and he’s scored 20 points or more in each of Indiana’s first four games. However, his current fantasy value lags behind his preseason ADP because of a low free-throw percentage (56.0) and lackluster defensive numbers. There’s still plenty of basketball to be played, so fantasy managers shouldn’t worry about Siakam.

Siakam has scored at least 23 points in each of Indiana’s first three games, seemingly benefiting from Tyrese Haliburton’s return from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Siakam may not be an elite fantasy option, but his ceiling has been raised considerably after injuries and instability at point guard damaged his value in 2025-26. The Pacers play four games in Week 2, starting with the Bucks on Monday.

Pascal got his points, but it was a bad night from the Pacers all around. He also got 5 turnovers in this game which will leave a mark in that category. Overall, he’s consistent with his production but considering the scoring was efficient, it’s hard to complain.