The Indiana Pacers` training facility now boasts three new banners. Among them are tributes to retired numbers (Reggie Miller`s 31, Mel Daniels` 34), a nod to long-time governor Herb Simon, and a recognition of community leader Jim Morris.
Quietly, another banner joined them last week: the 2024-25 Eastern Conference championship. It was unfurled without a grand ceremony for the players and coaches, who are already focused on the upcoming season.
“One day it wasn`t there, the next it was,” Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith remarked to reporters.
The team plans a formal commemoration at Gainbridge Fieldhouse before their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 23rd, but Coach Rick Carlisle isn`t keen on dwelling on past glories.
“It won`t be a huge spectacle,” Carlisle stated after a recent practice. “It was an incredible journey with many remarkable moments, but we must now look forward.”
This sentiment permeated the Pacers` training camp, balancing the recent improbable playoff run to the Finals with the lingering disappointment of a Game 7 loss, significantly impacted by Tyrese Haliburton`s season-altering Achilles tear early in that decisive game.
Haliburton`s injury marked another major blow in the 2025-26 Eastern Conference landscape. Both of the last two conference champions now face a season without their marquee players; Boston Celtics` Jayson Tatum also suffered a torn right Achilles in the conference semifinals. While Boston had consistently reached the conference finals in recent years, Indiana had achieved back-to-back appearances and was positioned as a formidable contender with its young core.
Consequently, both Boston and Indiana are bracing for a season largely, if not entirely, without their star players. The Pacers have confirmed Haliburton`s absence for the season, while the Celtics remain less definitive about Tatum. This situation drastically lowers pre-season expectations for two teams that have recently dominated the East.
“It`s exciting,” Celtics guard Derrick White commented. “We`re no longer the favorites. But we`ll adopt a mindset of proving doubters wrong and competing at the highest level.”
Beyond their injured stars, both teams also experienced other significant roster departures. The Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and lost Al Horford and Luke Kornet in free agency. The Pacers saw center Myles Turner depart in free agency after the Milwaukee Bucks, responding to their own Damian Lillard Achilles injury, waived Lillard and stretched his contract.
This scenario opens up the Eastern Conference, creating an opportunity for numerous teams to contend for a Finals berth, especially after witnessing Indiana`s unexpected success last year.
“You have to concentrate on your present strengths, not your deficiencies,” Carlisle emphasized. “Our aim is to develop our talent and maximize our potential.”
He added, “I`m particularly proud of our young players` growth over the last two years. We intend to continue that trend. We have players with untapped potential, and we want to help them realize it. And we aim to maximize our win-loss record.”
Despite their competitive intentions, projections for both teams in a weakened conference are not optimistic. The Celtics currently have the seventh-best odds to win the East, trailing teams like Detroit and Philadelphia, while Indiana is ninth.
However, reports indicate that neither the Celtics nor the Pacers intend to tank for draft picks or take a “gap year” from contention. Their objective is to win as many games as possible, maintain competitiveness, and foster the growth of different players in expanded roles.
“Rebuilding won`t be part of our vocabulary,” Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens affirmed this summer. “That`s how we`ll focus our efforts moving forward.”
The reigning Eastern Conference champion shares this philosophy.
“There`s been no internal discussion about a gap year,” Carlisle stated. “We aim to compete at our absolute highest level.”
Joe Mazzulla`s Coaching Philosophy and Team Strategy
Joe Mazzulla`s entry into the NBA head coaching ranks was unique.
Three years ago, Mazzulla, then just 34, became the league`s youngest head coach when he took over the Celtics from Ime Udoka just before training camp. He quickly ascended from a Division II coaching role to leading a team consistently favored for the title over the past three seasons.
Mazzulla`s tenure has been marked by his intense demeanor. His press conferences have often gone viral for his focused intensity and a dry, sometimes accidental, wit. Last year, when asked about handling the defending champion status, Mazzulla famously responded, “People will say the target is on our back, but I hope it`s right on our forehead between our eyes.”
Even with reduced external expectations for the Celtics this season, Mazzulla`s intensity remains undimmed.
“The same things excite me every year,” Mazzulla shared. “I`m energized by assessing league trends, our current progress, how to truly maximize our roster`s potential and our team`s mindset, and if we`re fully leveraging our strengths.”
Under Mazzulla, the Celtics gained a reputation for a high-volume 3-point offense, often dubbed “Mazzulla ball.” They led the league in 3-point attempts in the last two seasons and were second in his inaugural year. However, Mazzulla recently downplayed the moniker, stating his previous approach was dictated by the roster`s composition.
This year`s team, he acknowledged, lacks the same array of shooting options.
Instead of rigidly imposing a single philosophy, Mazzulla`s goal is to adapt his coaching to unlock the full potential of his current roster – a sentiment echoed by Carlisle hundreds of miles away.
“I might have to coach completely differently than the previous year,” Mazzulla explained. “In past years, we had an older, more experienced roster with four or five All-Stars. That dictates a different process.”
With a scoring gap in the lineup, Derrick White may step into a more prominent offensive role. Already recognized as an elite two-way guard, White could become the clear second scoring option behind Jaylen Brown.
Yet, White has built his career by adapting to team needs, and he fears that solely focusing on becoming a primary scorer would detract from the qualities that earned him a four-year, $126 million extension last year.
“I know if I concentrate on scoring 25 points, I won`t perform well,” White admitted.
“If I just play my game within the offense, I might still get 25 points a night, who knows? So my goal isn`t, `Oh, JT`s out, I can do more.` I still just need to be myself and do whatever helps us win games.”
Both Mazzulla and White referenced the Pacers as a successful model for how an outmatched but hardworking Boston team could secure victories.
Indiana`s blueprint last season, especially in the playoffs, involved relentless pressure, covering the full court for all 48 minutes of every game to wear down opponents.
“It`s a copycat league; you see success, and everyone tries to adapt it,” White observed. “You`ll probably see a lot of that, like last year – the constant pressure. Teams are trying to press full court and force turnovers.”
The Pacers have grown accustomed to hearing this all summer.
Aaron Nesmith spent his offseason near Austin, Texas, and often had fans at baggage claim remark on how the Pacers` style of play reignited their interest in basketball.
“Many people approached me this summer, saying, `You made me a fan of NBA basketball again,`” Nesmith recounted.
Carlisle often heard the word “inspirational” associated with the Pacers throughout the offseason.
“It truly credits the players,” Carlisle noted. “You need exceptional individuals willing to commit to full-court pressure. It was great to be a part of that.”
This is why, despite losing a few key players, the core principles of the Pacers` offense and system are unlikely to change. Carlisle confirmed Bennedict Mathurin would enter the starting lineup and Andrew Nembhard would assume greater primary ball-handling duties. While Indiana plans to leverage Nembhard`s strengths, such as driving downhill more than Haliburton`s high pick-and-roll, the team remains committed to its foundational approach.
“We`re doing the same things,” Nembhard affirmed. “We`re still aiming to push the pace, play unpredictably, involve many different guys touching the ball, and execute various actions.”
However, the Pacers must navigate this style carefully, aware that the league will be better prepared for it this season.
“When you disrupt the league as we did, the league will disrupt back,” Carlisle warned. “So we need to be ready for that. More teams will be more physical, and we need to elevate our intensity further.”
Star Players` Recovery and Future Outlook
Tyrese Haliburton, dressed in a grey hoodie and shorts, waited for a rebound underneath the basket.
He was actively encouraging Johnny Furphy and Taelon Peter, two players at the end of the roster, during a shooting competition. As Peter prepared for a 3-point shot to match Furphy`s target, Haliburton continually fueled the competitive fire.
“`Ooooh,` he egged Peter on with each shot. `Don`t let him beat you.`”
When Peter missed, Haliburton promptly passed the ball back, urging, “Don`t miss. You got two more.”
Peter accepted the challenge, sinking five consecutive shots to win.
Even though he`ll miss the entire season due to injury, Haliburton plans to be a consistent, visible presence with the team, both at home and on the road.
“We`ll certainly hear his voice,” Carlisle said with a smile.
“Ty always brings great energy. One consistent thing about him is his positive outlook on life. He truly loves it. He`s an early riser, here before anyone else. He`s tackling this rehab like a beast. His daily presence will be crucial.”
Haliburton is now walking without a brace or crutches and cheerfully announced he`s driving again. Yet, Indiana has already set opening night 2026 as the target for the return of their breakout star from last year`s postseason.
Jayson Tatum, conversely, has not ruled out a potential return this season. Five months post-injury, he has resumed light basketball activities, and a pre-training camp workout video sparked speculation about him playing at some point in the 2025-26 season. However, neither Tatum nor the Celtics have provided definitive timelines.
“There`s no pressure to return before I`m 100% healthy,” Tatum stated at Celtics media day. “No pressure from Brad, Joe, the team, or the organization. My full recovery and health are the most important things whenever I come back.”
Tatum`s final point underscores the unusual nature of this season for both Boston and Indiana. For both franchises, the most critical developments won`t occur on the court but rather in the rehabilitation journeys of their injured stars, holding the promise of brighter future seasons.
However, instead of treating this season as a lost cause, the Celtics and Pacers are using it as unique motivation to still make it a memorable year.
“It really doesn`t matter what people think or say,” Nesmith told a reporter. “They haven`t believed in us for three years. We surprise them every single year. I don`t see why this year would be any different.”
