Indiana Pacers Fall Short in Close Battle Against Minnesota Timberwolves; Toppin Leaves with Injury

Facci is back and he is holding it down without Alex today! On today's show, Facci welcomes in fan favorite of the podcast, Keith Smith from Spotrac. The guys discuss the following topics as the NBA week is officially one week in!0-4 startWeather the storm or reconsider?Benendict MathurinSurprises around the leagueMORE Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden is joined by Tyler Smith from Indy Sports Legends to recap the Pacers 107-105 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The Pacers blew another opportunity to win a close game. Siakam was the backbone again for the Pacers with 27 points and 13 rebounds, but the shooting woes were intensified in this game from everyone on the roster. Mac McClung made his debut, Jarace Walker scored a career high, RayJ Dennis had a team high +13 in plus/minus but too many misses cost the Pacers a chance at their first win. We discuss it all today on Setting The Pace, and we sprinkle in a little World Series conversation at the end of the show, as the Blue Jays lead 3-2 heading back to Toronto for a chance to win another championship. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's episode of Setting The Pace, Noblesville GM, Chris Taylor, joins me to discuss: the Boom starting their training camp this week; who they selected in the G League Draft on Saturday; insight on Indiana native Kyle Guy returning to basketball after retiring; thoughts on Gabe McGlothan and Jalen Slawson (who played on the Pacers preseason team) and the first season of the Boom in their state of the art facility in Noblesville.In addition to that, Chris talks about the growth he has seen in 2-way players RayJ Dennis and Quenton Jackson; what he's seen from Mac McClung in the G League and how talented of a player he is; why the Boom are having their training camp at the Pacers practice facility; the relationship that Coach Carlisle and his staff, as well as the front office has with the Boom staff and players; how special head coach Tom Hankins is and MORE! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's episode of Setting The Pace, Alex Golden is joined by Brett Evans to discuss the Pacers singing of Mac McClung and the waiving of James Wiseman. The guys discuss why the Pacers went with Wiseman as the man to be waived and what it is about Mac McClung that brings some level of intrigue as this team continues to battle injuries.Later, Alex and Brett discuss the Wiseman waiving, and what it means for the center rotation moving forward. Brett shares his opinion on who the Pacers best fit at the center is with this group, why he thinks they need to make a trade for a starting caliber center to pair with Hali next season, and what that would cost the Pacers. Then, the guys look WAY into the future and discuss the potential cap issues that would come with a Benn Mathurin extension. What a Mathurin extension would mean for other players, would Aaron Nesmith be willing to come off the bench and would Mathurin sign a long-term contract if not promised a starting 5 next season. This leads to the discussion of whether or not trading Mathurin for a center makes more sense roster construction wise and what team out West could be a potential partner for the Pacers.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden is joined by Kyle Taylor from iPacers to discuss the Pacers 4-point loss to the Timberwolves. The guys dive into the play of Tony Bradley, RayJ Dennis, Quenton Jackson returning from injury, Aaron Nesmith's 18-point night, what to make of Jarace's performance, the untimely fouls from Shepp and end with giving all the flowers to Pascal for his heroic efforts in this one.Please leave us a 5-star rating and review if you like the show; or Subscribe and Like this VIDEO if you are on YouTube.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden goes solo to discuss the Pacers 25-point blowout loss to the Grizzlies. The loss is bad, but nothing was worse than losing two more players to injuries at the guard position. Bennedict Mathurin (toe) and Taelon Peter (groin) exit the games with injuries, and the Pacers finish with 3 healthy guards. While it looks bleak early on for the 2025-2026 Pacers, Alex shares 3 positives that could come from all of these injuries, and gives his thoughts on the game.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden and Mike Facci talk about the Indiana Pacers falling short to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a double overtime thriller. Bennedict Mathurin was a man on a mission and Pascal Siakam was able to score on any defense the Thunder threw his way. Andrew Nembhard did not return to the game after halftime, leaving the Pacers with no healthy point guards. The center rotation continues to be a question mark, but Obi Toppin logged significantly more minutes at the 5 than I Jax, Bradley or Huff. Bigger roles for Peter, Sheppard and Jarace, how they performed. Nesmith fouled out midway through the 4th quarter, leaving Indiana even thinner, and the Thunder lived at the free throw line.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's episode of Setting The Pace, Alex Golden is joined by Brad and Ryan Knight, The Brothers of Basketball and Hosts of The Pacers Post Up Podcast to preview the Pacers NBA Finals rematch with the Thunder. What players are unable to play in this game, what will be the biggest hurdle for the Pacers to climb, who is the key to the Pacers chances of winning, what can we takeaway from the preseason, how do the Pacers handle the point guard situation against a stingy defense and one more time discussing the significance of Aaron Nesmith's extension.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex opens up the show discussing Kam Jones apologizing to the fans and media at practice today after his arrest for speeding on Monday. Then, Alex and Facci play a game of True or False, determining if the 12 statements are true or false. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/setting-the-pace-a-pacers-podcast/id1439262274Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/77fZ7GLLkZuGtk1J8PQ7GG?utm_medium=share&utm_source=linktreeYouTube: (1) Setting The Pace: A Pacers Podcast - YouTubeCastbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/6492069?country=us PodBean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/hun7k-345740/Setting-The-Pace-A-Pacers-Podcast   1). Taelon Peter logs more minutes this season than Johnny Furphy.2). Bennedict Mathurin ends the season as the starting shooting guard.3). Tony Bradley will play his way into the backup center role behind Isaiah Jackson.4). Aaron Nesmith will lead the team in 3PT%.5). Pascal Siakam makes his 2nd All-Star appearance as a member of the Pacers.6). Jay Huff will make 100 three pointers this season. (Made 81 last year)7). Obi Toppin will have at least 150 assists this season. (128 the last two years)8). Andrew Nembhard will average 16 points and 8 assists this season.9). TJ McConnell will play in 60 games this season.10). Ben Sheppard has a career year in every major statistical category.11). Jarace Walker solidifies himself as the 6th man on the Pacers roster.12). Quenton Jackson plays his way into a roster spot for next season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's episode, Alex and Facci kickoff the show discussing Aaron Nesmith agreeing to an extension with the Indiana Pacers, that will take him through the 2028-2029 NBA season. Then, the guys quickly touch on Kam Jones being arrested after leading police on a police chase...(2:30)In segment 2 (11:30), Jeremiah Johnson of Fan Duel Sports Network joins us to breakdown the current state of the Pacers, Benn Mathurin not agreeing to his rookie extension with the Pacers, what to make of the center and point guard questions, Siakam and Nembhard's upcoming roles, whether or not the Pacers will raise an East Champions banner on opening night or will they wait till they play the Bucks so Myles Turner can be a part of the event, the discourse between fans and Myles Turner, JJ participates in the "Get To Know Your Guest' segment and we have a LIVE REACTION to the Aaron Nesmith extension breaking!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.