Latest news with #MaliceatthePalace
NBC Sports
25-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Indiana Pacers 2024-2025 fantasy basketball season recap: What the Hali
Now that the NBA season is over, we'll recap the fantasy basketball season for the 2024-25 runners-up. Over the last two months, we've provided a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the Eastern and Western Conference champions. Today, we're looking at a team that went on one of the greatest playoff runs ever seen. Indiana Pacers 2024-2025 Season Recap Record: 50-32 (4th, East) Offensive Rating: 115.4 (9th) Defensive Rating: 113.3 (14th) Net Rating: 2.1 (T-13th) Pace: 100.76 (7th) 2025 NBA Draft Picks: 54th pick The 2024-25 campaign was perhaps the most exciting in Pacers history, and I'm including the 1999-00 championship run and the 2005 Malice at the Palace season. For the second straight year, the Pacers made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but this year, they got over the hump. Indiana lost a heartbreaker in Game 7 of the Finals to the Thunder, but Indiana's improbable run to the last game of the season was one of the most entertaining and unexpected in recent memory. Superstar Tyrese Haliburton took the next step with a dazzling postseason run, but a devastating injury in Game 7 of the Finals will have a major ripple effect across the roster next season. Let's recap last season's fantasy performances and look ahead to 2025-26. Fantasy Standout: Tyrese Haliburton Haliburton delivered a monster season for fantasy managers, averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks and 3.0 triples in 33.6 minutes across 73 games. He shot 47.3% from the floor and 85.1% from the charity stripe as he finished fifth in per-game fantasy value. For as great of a regular season as Hali had, his postseason run was the stuff of legends. The fourth-seeded Pacers took down the Bucks in five games, and Haliburton delivered the knockout blow with a game-winning layup in Game 5. Next up were the Cavs, who Indiana dispatched in another gentlemen's sweep. Down two in Game 2, Hali missed a free throw with 12 seconds remaining, gathered his own rebound, dribbled out beyond the arc and coldly sank the go-ahead trey with just over a second to play. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks, Haliburton wasted no time making his mark on the series. Down two with 10 seconds to play, he drove into the lane, dribbled back and launched a shot that took a long bounce off the rim before finding daylight. Thinking he had won the game, Haliburton imitated Reggie Miller's iconic choking gesture to the crowd at Madison Square Garden. Review showed that his foot was on the line, but Indiana wrapped the game up in OT and never looked back in the series. In the Finals, Haliburton hit another game-winner in Game 1 to give Indiana its first and only lead of the contest. The Pacers were massive underdogs to win the Finals against the Thunder, and they were dogs in each of the seven games of the series. Somehow, Haliburton and Co. forced a Game 7, but tragedy struck just minutes into the contest. Haliburton sank three early triples to put the Pacers up, but as he made a move on the wing, his right Achilles visibly tore, and he went to the ground. Haliburton was immediately emotional, and he was helped off the court. Later reports confirmed the Achilles tear, and Hali Fantasy Revelation: T.J. McConnell McConnell finished the regular season ranked 218 in per-game fantasy value, but the revolutionary nature of his performance came in the postseason, where he became a Pacers legend. McConnell averaged 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks in 17.9 minutes across 79 games in the regular season. He shot respectably at 51.9% from the field and 74% from the charity stripe in his sixth season with Indiana, operating as a change-of-pace guard specializing as a high-energy defender and facilitator. He came to play in the Finals, averaging 12 points, 3.6 boards, 4.3 dimes and 2.1 steals across seven games. With Tyrese Haliburton hobbled in Games 5-6 and out for most of Game 7, he stepped up in a big way. Over the final three games of the championship series, McConnell posted 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals. He routinely made huge plays on offense, including key rebounds and microwave scoring when his team couldn't hit shots. With Haliburton set to miss significant time next season, McConnell has surely earned a larger role for the 2025-26 campaign, making him an intriguing late-round option in fantasy drafts. Fantasy Disappointment: None Indiana operated as a well-oiled machine throughout the regular season and playoffs, leaning on Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam to do the heavy lifting, with Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Benn Mathurin filling in the gaps. The stars shined, and the role players did what they were asked to do. There were no major surprises from a fantasy standpoint. Myles Turner: Turner finished his 10th season in Indiana with averages of 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 2.0 swats and 2.2 triples. The big man appeared in 72 games and logged 30.2 minutes per night, shooting 48.1% from the floor and 77.3% from the charity stripe. Turner finished inside the top 50 in per-game fantasy value thanks to his ability to block shots, grab rebounds and hit triples. His strong regular season was soured by a dismal Finals run. Across seven games against the Thunder, he averaged just 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.3 steals, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 triples. Indiana's longest-tenured player has been included in many trade rumors throughout his career, but there's no confidence that he will actually be dealt this offseason. Set to be an unrestricted free agent, Turner could choose to test the free agent market and join a center-needy team like the Lakers. Perhaps the Pacers reconsider bringing him back after his lackluster showing on the biggest stage? If he returns to the Pacers, expect similar numbers to the ones he posted this season, with a potential bump in scoring due to Haliburton's absence. Pascal Siakam: Siakam was masterful in his first full season with Indiana, averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.6 triples in 32.7 minutes across 78 appearances. The star forward shot efficiently from the floor (51.9) and knocked down 73.4% of his tries from the charity stripe. Unsurprisingly, Siakam's playing time and counting stats took a dip coming from Toronto to Indiana. He finished with his fewest points, rebounds and minutes in six seasons and his fewest assists in five seasons. He knocked down the second-most three-pointers of his career and recorded his sixth consecutive season averaging 20+ points. Spicy P enjoyed a productive playoff run, leading his team in points and rebounds while making a strong impact as a facilitator and defender. He had some huge moments, including a pair of 30-balls against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semis. Siakam could be a prime beneficiary of Haliburton's extended absence. Expect big numbers in 2025-26. Aaron Nesmith: Nesmith enjoyed the most productive season of his career, finishing the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocked shots and 1.9 triples across 25 minutes per game. Injuries limited him to just 45 games, but he made the most of his time on the court. His 43/51/91 shooting splits represent a new career-best in efficiency, and Nesmith finished just outside the top 120 in per-game fantasy hoops value in his third season with the Pacers. Nesmith played well in the postseason, and he had a memorable performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He knocked down eight triples and finished with 30 points as the Pacers stormed back to defeat the Knicks 138-135 in overtime. Nesmith isn't going to wow in any category, but he doesn't turn the ball over, he can provide respectable defensive numbers, and he can hit triples. He should take on a heftier load on offense next season with Haliburton set to miss time. A finish near the top 120 wouldn't be surprising. Andrew Nembhard: Indiana will employ a platoon approach to pick up the slack for Haliburton in 2025-26, but Nembhard could perhaps see the biggest boost to his playing time, production and fantasy value. The Gonzaga product finished the season ranked 175th in per-game fantasy hoops value behind averages of 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks and 0.8 triples with 46/79 shooting splits. He averaged nearly 29 minutes across 65 contests and set new career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists and steals. Nembhard established himself as a capable playmaker and strong defender, leading the Pacers as a floor general during the regular season when Haliburton was sidelined and spending plenty of time defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Finals. He's worth a look in the later rounds of 2025-26 fantasy drats. Obi Toppin: 'Ain't no stoppin…' In his second season with Indiana, Toppin posted averages of 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.4 triples while shooting 53.9% from the field and 78.1% from the charity stripe. He appeared in 79 games and played 19.6 minutes per contest. Toppin set new career highs in points, rebounds, assists and triples, though his performances were hot and cold throughout the regular season and playoffs. He dropped 20 points in Game 6 of the Finals only to follow it up with a goose egg in the scoring column in Game 7. Toppin finished just inside the top 200 in per-game fantasy hoops value. Even iif he takes on an increased role for the Pacers in 2025-26, he'll be tough to trust as a late-round flyer in fantasy drafts. Bennedict Mathurin: Mathurin finished 181st in per-game fantasy value with averages of 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.4 triples. He shot 45.8% from the floor and 83.1% from the charity stripe and logged 29.9 minutes per game across 72 contests. His rebounds, three-pointers, FG% and FT% represent career highs, though much like Toppin, his production was up and down. Mathurin scored 27 points in Game 3 of the Finals and finished with 17 total points across Games 4-6 before going 24/13/3/2 with a pair of triples in Game 7. Heading into Year 4, Mathurin could take the next step forward and push to score 20 points per night. With Haliburton out, he's the next man up after Pascal Siakam as a reliable nightly bucket-getter. Ben Sheppard: The man with the best moustache in the NBA finished his second professional season with averages of 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks and 1.1 triples while shooting 41.8% from the floor and 88.9% from the charity stripe. He appeared in 63 games and logged 19.5 minutes per tilt. Sheppard logged just under 14 minutes per game in the playoffs as Indiana's rotation tightened up, but he averaged nearly 19 minutes per game in Game 6 and 7 of the Finals with Haliburton limited and out. Sheppard could see more run in Haliburton's absence, though he's not yet someone to pick up in 2025-26 fantasy drafts outside deeper leagues. Restricted Free Agents: Quenton Jackson, Isaiah Jackson Unrestricted Free Agents: Thomas Bryant, James Johnson, Myles Turner Club Option: Tony Bradley Player Option: None
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
LeBron James names toughest defender he's ever played against
LeBron James names toughest defender he's ever played against During his 22 seasons in the NBA, LeBron James has faced just about every imaginable defense and every good or great defender the league has had to offer. Like anyone else, he has had his moments where opposing defenses have gotten the best of him, but he has also made plenty of opposing defenses look weak and incompetent. Thanks to his unprecedented longevity, he has played through multiple eras of NBA basketball, which means he has faced great defenders who have been out of the league for a while. On a recent episode of his "Mind the Game" podcast, he named the toughest defender he ever faced, and it was someone who hasn't played in a game since 2017: Metta Sandiford-Artest. 'Yeah, Ron Artest,' he said. 'Metta World Peace now. Really good with his hands, laterally was really good, strong as an ox. We played a game in my early years when he was in Indiana I mean, it was challenging for sure. One of the best defenders probably I've played against. I had to go straight back to my early days. Ron definitely had you like, OK this is what the league is about. OK, lets continue to lock in, this is a hell of a test for you as an 18-year old kid out of high school with a target on your back. I was like yeah, I love this. This is awesome.' Sandiford-Artest was a first-round draft pick in 1999 by the Chicago Bulls, and other than the 2014-15 season, he remained in the league until the 2016-17 campaign. In his prime, he was a very physical and fierce defender who had great hands, and he was named to four All-Defensive teams and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004. After his reputation went down in the gutter following the "Malice at the Palace" early in the 2004-05 season, he came to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and got to team up with Kobe Bryant. The Lakers won the NBA championship in his first season with them, as he played a key role in slowing down Paul Pierce during the NBA Finals versus the Boston Celtics. But Sandiford-Artest was much more than just a defensive specialist. He was that uncommon player who could lock down the other team's best guard or wing and drop 20 points on the other end. He had a career average of 13.2 points a game and went over 20 points per contest in two seasons.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Metta Sandiford-Artest on giving up money to play for the Lakers
Metta Sandiford-Artest on giving up money to play for the Lakers In 2009, after a seven-year drought, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship by defeating the Orlando Magic in five games in the final round of the playoffs. Immediately, their quest for back-to-back titles began, especially since they hadn't gotten revenge on the Boston Celtics after the Celtics embarrassed them in the 2008 NBA Finals. Their first task was to retain forwards Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza, both of whom were integral parts of their team. Even though the Miami Heat made a big push to sign Odom, he eventually agreed to a new deal to stay put. But Ariza was a different story. He opted to leave and join the Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles replaced him with Metta Sandiford-Artest, then known as Ron Artest. At the time, Sandiford-Artest had a reputation for being a hoodlum, especially after his role in the infamous "Malice at the Palace" in 2004. But he was on his best behavior as a Laker during the 2009-10 season, and he embraced a greatly reduced offensive role while helping Kobe Bryant and crew win it all over Boston. He agreed to a contract that paid him $5.85 million that season after he had made at least $7.4 million in each of the previous three seasons. In fact, his salary for the 2009-10 campaign was lower than his salary in each of his prior five seasons. During an interview with entrepreneur and podcaster Patrick Bet-David, he said he gave up plenty of money to win a ring in L.A., and he was even reluctant to come on board. "I did not expect that call at 12:01 (the start of NBA free agency). ... I get a call, we pull over, and then my agent, David Bauman, says, 'The Lakers want to speak to you.' Pardon my French, but my first reaction was, 'For [expletive] what?' 'Cause I'm like, 'They just beat us.' "... I meet with Dr. [Jerry] Buss the next morning and he was like, 'I'm sorry, I'm not going to be able to pay you what your worth, but we really want you on this team.' "... And I said, 'Damn! Dr. Buss, Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant.' I love Kobe. "... I left a lot of money on the table." Sandiford-Artest saw a big drop in his offensive production. He went from averaging 17.1 points a game during the 2008-09 season to putting up 11.0 points a game the following year, and his 3-point accuracy even fell from 39.9% to 35.5%. To that point in his basketball life, he had always been one of the top offensive options on every team he had ever played on, but with L.A., he was merely a role player. But he said it was all worth it, partly because he learned a lot about himself, and he learned that he could overcome adversity. In the process of winning the 2010 NBA title, he reversed his public image and suddenly became likable, and he ended up doing plenty of community-oriented work, especially in the area of mental health.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former NBA Star's On-Court Encounter With Fans Ends With Police Involved
Former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins found himself at the center of an altercation with fans that evoked memories of the so-called "Malice at the Palace" that occurred more than 25 years ago. The incident went down Monday during a Puerto Rico basketball league game. Cousins, 34, is playing with the Guaynabo Mets. At some point in the fourth quarter, the former Sacramento Kings center got into a verbal altercation with a fan sitting courtside. The fan was gesturing "cry baby" at Cousins, who clearly took offense. Cousins grabbed his crotch, prompting the fan to flip him the bird. Cousins pushed the fan's hands down, and that's when the altercation turned physical, as more fans rushed in to the fan's aid and Cousins' teammates stepped in to prevent things from getting even more out of control. The former University of Kentucky star ultimately was ejected from the game, but he didn't leave quietly. As he was being escorted by security and police, Cousins got into another skirmish with fans, who threw drinks at the agitated center. Police and security had to physically restrain Cousins and some fans, too. Cousins last played in the NBA in the 2021-22 season. He was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Kings. He averaged 19.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game over the course of 11 seasons. He first joined the Mets in 2023 before briefly played in Taiwan and Mongolia. He returned to the Mets this season. Cousins' altercation with fans reminded basketball fans of the infamous November 2004 incident at The Palace of Auburn Hills, where members of the Indiana Pacers -- primarily a then-known Ron Artest -- got into a melee with Detroit Pistons fans. The violent brawl led to numerous suspensions and it forever left a stain on the NBA. Former NBA Star's On-Court Encounter With Fans Ends With Police Involved first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 10, 2025
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'I never lose belief' — Tyrese Haliburton's clutch shots and vulnerability have revived Indiana basketball's soul
Down by 15 in the NBA Finals, with under a second on the clock and the season hanging in the balance. Tyrese Haliburton steps up again—nailing the shot with 0.3 seconds left—reviving the spirit in Indiana. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This isn't mere chance; it's a recurring theme. Four playoff rounds, four clutch shots. But behind the spectacle is a more significant tale: a genuine young man facing mental health challenges, restoring hope in a team eager for purpose. How a 25‑year‑old underdog transformed pressure into legacy‑defining moments Haliburton has made a name for himself in basketball history. He's now 4-for-4 with shots that either won or tied the game in the last five seconds of each playoff round: against Milwaukee, Cleveland, New York, and Oklahoma City. In Game 1 of the Finals against the Thunder, his 21-foot jumper wiped out a 15-point deficit and shocked the top-seeded Thunder in a 111–110 victory. His incredible late-game precision—hitting about ~86% on game-tying or go-ahead shots this postseason—outshines legends like Kobe Bryant in similar moments. Haliburton's effect isn't merely about stats—it's captivating. The crowd's response at Indianapolis International Airport went viral, featuring a middle-aged fan celebrating joyfully with total strangers. Even NBA icon Dwyane Wade called him a "superstar" after that Finals victory. This collective vibe—fueled by pure hope—indicates a comeback of spirit in Indiana's sports scene. Reggie Miller: Reflecting on Malice at the Palace, Fighting Kobe & Jordan, & Cheryl's GOAT Case Yet under the heroism, there's a sense of humility. Haliburton candidly talked about dealing with what he referred to as 'basketball depression' halfway through the season. He confessed, 'I didn't even want to come to work,' and reached out for support in handling expectations and anxiety. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now By doing this, he broke the silence surrounding athlete mental health and reconnected with fans not through highlight reels, but by displaying genuine vulnerability. Before this game, Haliburton had already racked up two NBA All-Star selections, two All-NBA Third Team honors, and an Olympic gold medal with Team USA. Yet, his achievements in the playoffs have overshadowed those accolades. As per ESPN's research, he's made six clutch shots in the last 90 seconds—an unmatched feat since 1997. His win probability added (WPA) during clutch situations this playoffs is around 2.5, which is higher than any player in the history of the modern NBA playoffs. Also Read: Tyrese Haliburton's path—from struggles with self-assurance to game-winning shots—has revitalized Indiana's energy both on and off the court. Four consecutive rounds, four iconic shots; promoting mental health; record-breaking achievements. Now, with just one championship ring separating him from everlasting greatness, Haliburton isn't merely pursuing history—he's living it. And if faith can turn into legacy, then Indiana's spirit is revived—one crucial shot at a time.
