The Indiana Pacers` training facility now prominently displays three new banners. Alongside retired jersey numbers for Reggie Miller (31) and Mel Daniels (34), and acknowledgements for former governor Herb Simon and community leader Jim Morris, a fresh banner for the 2024-25 Eastern Conference Championship quietly hangs. It was raised recently, after training camp had already begun, without a formal celebration by the players or coaches as they prepare for the upcoming season.
“It was not here one day, up here the next,” commented Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith.
While the Pacers do plan a commemoration at their arena before their regular season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 23, Coach Rick Carlisle stated there are no intentions to dwell on the past for long.
“There’s not going to be a big thing about it,” Carlisle explained after practice. “It was a great run and really a lot of amazing things happened during that stretch. But you got to turn the page.”
This sentiment pervaded the Pacers` training camp – a team still basking in the glow of an improbable playoff run to the Finals, yet simultaneously confronting the disappointment of a Game 7 loss and the devastating, season-altering Achilles injury to star Tyrese Haliburton during that critical game.
The Eastern Conference Landscape Transformed by Injury
Haliburton`s torn Achilles is one of several significant playoff injuries that have reshaped the trajectory of the 2025-26 Eastern Conference. Both of the last two Eastern Conference champions will be without their star players for much, if not all, of the season. Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum also suffered a torn right Achilles in the conference semifinals. Boston had consistently reached the conference finals in recent years, as had Indiana with its young core, making them strong contenders for a return. Now, both face an entire season with their franchise players sidelined – Haliburton officially ruled out, and Tatum`s return timeline uncertain – leading to significantly lowered expectations.
“I think it’s exciting,” Celtics guard Derrick White remarked. “We’re not the hunted anymore. But just have that mindset of `We’re going to prove people wrong` and compete at a high level.”
Roster Shifts and New Challenges
Beyond losing their stars, both teams also saw other key roster changes. The Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and saw Al Horford and Luke Kornet depart in free agency. The Pacers lost center Myles Turner in free agency, a move influenced by the Milwaukee Bucks` decision to waive Damian Lillard and stretch his contract after his own postseason Achilles injury. This collective upheaval opens up the Eastern Conference, with several teams now believing they have a legitimate path to the Finals, inspired by Indiana`s unexpected run last year.
A Shared Philosophy: Develop and Maximize
Despite the adversity, both the Celtics and Pacers are united by a similar approach: a relentless focus on developing their existing talent and maximizing their potential, rather than tanking for draft picks or taking a “gap year” in contention.
“You got to focus on what you have and not what you don’t have,” Carlisle stated. “We want to develop and maximize. One of the things I’m most proud of the last two years is the development [of our young players]. We’re going to be looking to do the same thing. We got guys that still have upside, and we want them to realize that upside. And we want to maximize what we can with wins and losses.”
Although winning remains their intention, projections are not optimistic. According to betting odds, the Celtics are currently ranked seventh to win the East, and Indiana ninth. Yet, internal discussions firmly reject any notion of rebuilding. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens affirmed, “That’s not going to be part of the lexicon [on rebuilding] in our building, and that’s the way we’re going to focus moving forward.” Carlisle echoed this for the Pacers: “There’s been no internal talk about that. We want to compete at the highest level that we can.”
Coaching Through Adversity: Mazzulla and Carlisle
Joe Mazzulla`s Adaptive Approach
Joe Mazzulla`s tenure as Celtics head coach began three years ago, when he became the league`s youngest coach at 34, replacing Ime Udoka. He quickly led a team consistently favored for a title. Mazzulla`s intensity defines him, often evident in his focused, sometimes unintentionally humorous, interviews. Despite altered external expectations, his drive remains undimmed.
“The same thing excites me every year,” Mazzulla commented. “I get excited about, `OK, where are we as far as the trends of the league? Where are we as far as what we’ve put in up until this point? Does it really maximize the roster that we have? Does it maximize the mindset that we have? Are we truly taking advantage of the strengths that we have?`”
Known for his “Mazzulla ball” philosophy, which heavily favors 3-point attempts, Mazzulla has adapted his strategy based on roster construction. With fewer established options this year, his goal is to maximize the available talent, a mindset shared by Carlisle.
“I may have to coach completely differently than the year before,” Mazzulla explained. “In years past, you had an older, more experienced roster, four or five All-Stars on the team together. So your process is different.”
Derrick White is poised for a larger offensive role behind Jaylen Brown. However, White, known for his adaptability, emphasizes playing within the team`s system rather than forcing individual scoring.
“I know that if I focus on, `I need to score 25 points` or something, I know I won’t play well,” White said. “If I just do what I do and play within the offense and do it, I might get 25 points a night, who knows? And so my goal is not, `Oh, JT is out, I can do more.` I still got to just be who I am and just do things I can to help us win games.”
Both Mazzulla and White see the Pacers as a blueprint for how a less-talented but hard-playing team can secure victories.
Rick Carlisle`s Unchanging Principles
Indiana`s relentless, full-court playstyle last season, especially in the playoffs, was highly effective, inspiring many. Aaron Nesmith recounted numerous fans approaching him during the summer, saying, “You made me a fan of NBA basketball again.” Carlisle frequently heard the word “inspirational” associated with his team.
“Really it’s a credit to the players,” Carlisle stated. “You got to have special guys that are willing to pick up full court. … that was cool to be a part of that.”
Despite roster changes, the Pacers` core offensive and defensive principles will remain. Bennedict Mathurin will move into the starting lineup, and Andrew Nembhard will assume more primary ball-handling duties, utilizing his downhill playing style. The Pacers, however, are aware that the league will be better prepared for their high-pressure approach this season.
“When you disrupt the industry the way we did, it’s going to disrupt back,” Carlisle warned. “And so we got to be ready for that. More teams are going to be more physical and so we’ve got to be ready to bring it up another notch.”
Star Players: Presence and Recovery
Tyrese Haliburton, wearing a grey hoodie and shorts, stood under a basket during a recent practice, actively rebounding and encouraging younger players during a shooting competition. Even sidelined for the entire season, Haliburton plans to be a consistent presence with the team, both at home and on the road.
“We’ll hear his voice,” Carlisle said with a smile. “He’s always going to have great energy. One thing about Ty, he has a consistent, positive spirit about life. He just loves it. He’s an early riser. He’s here before anybody in the morning. He’s tackled this rehab thing like a beast. It’ll be important to have him be a part of this every day.”
Haliburton is already walking without a brace or crutches and is back to driving. Indiana has set opening night 2026 as the target for the star`s return.
Jayson Tatum, in contrast, has not ruled out a return this season. Five months post-injury, he`s engaged in light basketball activities, fueling speculation. However, he emphasizes returning only when “100 percent healthy,” with full organizational support. “No pressure to return back any sooner than when I’m 100 percent healthy,” Tatum stated at media day. “The most important thing is that I’m 100 percent recovered and healthy whenever I do come back.”
For both Boston and Indiana, the most critical developments this season will happen off the court: the successful recovery of their injured stars, which holds the promise of brighter future days. Rather than viewing this as a lost season, both the Celtics and Pacers are using it as unique motivation to make the year special.
“It doesn’t really matter what people believe or what they say,” Nesmith concluded. “They haven’t believed in us in three years. We surprise them every single year. I don’t see what makes this year any different.”
Rupert Hollis