Some moments in basketball make you stop mid-bite, mid-scroll, mid-thought. And tonight? This might be one of those. The Eastern Conference Finals are finally here, and Pacers fans have one thing on their mind: Is Myles Turner okay? And what about Andrew Nembhard; will he suit up when it counts the most? It’s been a rollercoaster ride to get here. Injuries, comebacks, and more questions than answers. Especially after Turner’s scary fall against the Cavs. Dude limped off like he was carrying every ounce of Pacers history on that one leg. So now, heading into the series opener at Madison Square Garden, there’s tension in the air. Nervous energy. Hope. And yeah, a bit of fear.

And let’s not pretend like Nembhard hasn’t been in the spotlight either. Quiet guy. Second-round pick. But lately? The dude’s been turning heads like it’s his job. Clutch plays, gritty defense, that weird calmness under pressure; you don’t expect that from a guy barely in his second season. So, will both of these key cogs in Indy’s machine suit up tonight? That’s been the million-dollar question buzzing through fan forums and group chats all day. The game’s hours away, but the whispers haven’t stopped. Because if either of them can’t go… well, that changes everything.

But breathe easy, Indy. According to ESPN, both Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard are good to go for Game 1. No setbacks, no surprises. Just two battle-tested dogs ready to go to war in New York. Turner’s scare? Apparently not serious. Nembhard’s minutes? Full throttle. The only confirmed blow to Indiana’s lineup is Isaiah Jackson, who per Shams Charania via ESPN; is officially ruled out after tearing his Achilles in the Pelicans game. Brutal break for the young forward. Jackson’s length and energy off the bench were becoming a nice little asset for Coach Carlisle. But with him gone, the Pacers will lean heavier on Obi Toppin and Jalen Smith to cover that frontcourt depth.

Now here’s why that Turner and Nembhard news has fans exhaling like they just dodged a speeding truck. For starters, Turner isn’t just some 7-footer clogging the paint. He’s the heart and spine of Indiana’s defense; the all-time blocks leader in franchise history. Without him, the Pacers lose not just rim protection, but one of their most reliable floor-spacers. The guy’s dropped 40 twice in his career, and he’s averaging 2.1 blocks per game this postseason. Pair that with a legit 3-point shot? That’s a modern big man prototype right there. And Nembhard? Look, this kid’s playoff leap is real. He’s gone from “solid role player” to “Yo, who is this dude locking up Donovan Mitchell and dropping dimes like a vet?” 14.6 points, 6 assists, near 63% true shooting! He’s not just surviving in the playoffs, he’s thriving.

And it’s not just about numbers. It’s the timing. The feel. These two; Turner and Nembhard, are Indiana’s security blanket. When Haliburton goes cold or Siakam’s in foul trouble, it’s Turner’s mid-range touch or Nembhard’s sneaky drives that hold the line. So yeah, Pacers fans were panicking for a reason. A Game 1 in the Garden, with the ghosts of Reggie and Spike echoing through the walls, is not the place to be short-handed. But now? With the full core intact, Indiana walks in with swagger. The only thing clouding that vibe? The noise around Haliburton’s dad; and we’re about to get into that messy chapter right now.

Indiana voice calls for U-turn on Tyrese Haliburton’s dad drama as Knicks-Pacers rivalry heats up

It’s the drama that just won’t go away. Just when Pacers fans were ready to move on, Dan Dakich jumps in and flips the whole narrative on its head. If you forgot, Tyrese Haliburton’s dad; John Haliburton, became the unexpected villain after taunting Giannis Antetokounmpo during Indy’s series-clinching win over Milwaukee. What was supposed to be a celebration turned into a headline, and John’s courtside privileges? Gone. The Pacers told him to take a timeout; from both home and road games. But now? One Indiana legend thinks it’s time to let him back in.

“Enough. All right. Let’s go. Let’s let him back in the building,” said Dakich during his appearance on The Dan Patrick Show. The former player and Hall of Famer didn’t hold back. He called Haliburton Sr.’s behavior “stupid”, even said he “acted like a dumba**”, but still made his point clear; “Let the dad in to watch the game. What the heck? Why not?” According to Dakich, Haliburton is a “great dude”, and punishing his pops indefinitely isn’t the move. Maybe John’s a little “competitive.” Maybe even a “pain in the a**.” But at the end of the day, the kid deserves his dad in the crowd, especially now.

And here’s the thing; this isn’t just about one scuffle. The Pacers-Knicks beef is getting spicy. From playoff heartbreak to WWE cameos, there’s real bad blood building. Don’t forget: Tyrese Haliburton rolled into a WWE event last summer backing Logan Paul, while Jalen Brunson was across the ring with LA Knight. And now? They’re squaring off in the Eastern Conference Finals. WWE legend Triple H even tweeted a split shot of him with both players, saying “It’s almost like we wrote it…” That’s not just promotion; that’s narrative gold.

So yeah, if there was ever a time for a full-circle moment, it’s now. Haliburton Sr. might’ve crossed a line; but in a Knicks vs Pacers series loaded with emotion and legacy vibes? Maybe it’s time to bring the loudest dad in the building back where he belongs. Besides, if he starts chirping Brunson from row three, wouldn’t that just pour gasoline on an already raging fire? This series doesn’t need extra drama. But let’s be honest… it kinda makes it more fun.