“Another year, another series…. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready. That’s an extremely talented team whose offense is clicking on all cylinders right now,” said Josh Hart recently. Reaching the Eastern Conference Finals is a big deal for the Knicks, making them the first squad to have done so since the 1999-2000 team. Unfortunately, it also pits them against the Indiana Pacers, aka the same team that eliminated the Knicks from last year’s playoffs through a 7-game series. Led by a squad consisting of the likes of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, the Pacers aren’t looking to be amongst those who back down easily. Everyone will be needed at their best, especially Siakam, whose abilities as a transition player are nothing short of praiseworthy. The player might know this and is willingly making himself available for his team.

According to the Indiana Pacers Injury Report, as highlighted by ESPN, Pascal Siakam’s name is nowhere to be found! This means that, unless an emergency occurs, the player will be fully available to take on Josh Hart and Co. in the coming hours. It also means that the player’s issues with his elbow continue to be behind him for now.

The last few months saw Pascal Siakam reportedly suffering from right olecranon bursitis. He was declared ‘Questionable’ for a game back in March, thanks to the ailment. To his credit, however, the player still played. Unfortunately, the ailment worsened by April, and Siakam was declared ‘OUT’ for a matchup against the Denver Nuggets, a matchup against the Orlando Magic, and then for another regular-season game, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Fortunately, the last game Pascal Siakam missed due to his elbow was back on April 13th. That elbow hasn’t bothered him since then.

The only player listed on the Indiana Pacers Injury Report, at the moment, is Isaiah Jackson. Jackson hasn’t played a game since November, as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles. He won’t be making his playoff debut in Game 1 of the Pacers-Knicks series, either.

Speaking of the Knicks, the Madison Square Garden occupants have no players listed on their report. In light of this update, at least one team will have to make adjustments to its starting lineup.

What will the starting lineup and depth chart for the Pacers-Knicks game look like?

It is good that the Indiana Pacers will have Pascal Siakam for Game 1 of the upcoming playoff series. After all, the player has averaged 19.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his last 10 matchups against the New York Knicks. Siakam could have worked a bit on his efficiency, as he averaged 7.6-15.0 (50.7%) field goals,  1.1-3.1 (35.5%) 3-pointers, and 2.7-3.5 (77.1%) free throws in the 10 games.

However, as a starter, he will nevertheless be a major challenge for the Knicks, with others like Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, etc, being there to help him. Since Isaiah Jackson hasn’t played a game since November, his absence will not affect the Pacers much. In light of this update, the starting lineup for the Indiana Pacers is expected to look like this:

Former Boston Celtics champion Kendrick Perkins recently said that “Tom Thibodeau … is coaching his a– off right now. That’s how they’re winning. The coaching and the trust. When Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns go to the bench, I see the pace pick up.” Therefore, it is known that the Knicks’ rotation is not one to be trifled with.

In light of this update, the starting lineup for the New York Knicks for Game 1 is expected to look like this:

The Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks? Who will you be rooting for? Let us know in the comments section down below.