Alright, so here we are. Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s Indy vs. Boston and the stakes? Higher than a Jayson Tatum arc three. But while everyone’s breaking down defensive schemes and trying to guess who’ll go nuclear from downtown, Pacers fans are refreshing their feeds every five seconds for something else entirely: health updates. Specifically, two names: Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. Will they play? Are they good to go? Or is Game 2 about to get real tricky?

Turner had fans holding their breath after that scary slip against Cleveland. Limped off, no smile, nothing. Just that look. The kind that says, this might be bad. And Pascal? The guy’s been everywhere lately, driving, dishing, defending. If either of them sits, the whole rhythm could shift. The Pacers have had depth all season, yeah, but this is the conference finals. Margin for error? Microscopic. So naturally, panic’s been brewing.

Well, breathe easy, Indy. Both Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner are good to go for Game 2, as per ESPN. Yep. No new injuries listed. No last-minute setbacks. Nada. According to the latest report, only Isaiah Jackson is out with an Achilles tear. That’s it! So for now, the Pacers are walking into Game 2 with their core fully intact. Siakam and Turner will suit up, and that’s massive. Because let’s face it, without these two, things get real messy real quick.

Siakam’s more than just a scorer; he’s the energy spark. Since landing in Indiana, the former champ has become the emotional compass of the team. He’s averaging over 20 points a night, leads them in shot attempts, and still finds time to anchor defensive possessions. Meanwhile, Turner? Man’s been holding down the fort in Indy for nearly a decade. Shot blocker. Stretch five. The guy is the NBA’s unsung ironman, and if he’s healthy, the Pacers’ defense has a whole different identity. Stats back it up: since Siakam joined, Indiana jumped from 26th to 18th in defensive rating. Coincidence? Nope.

And if you watched Game 5 against the Cavs, you already know the vibe. Haliburton dropped 31, Siakam followed with 21, and Turner did his thing defensively. Altering shots, diving for loose balls, doing the dirty work. Add Nembhard’s 18 and 6 to the mix, and you get the full picture. The Pacers ain’t a top-heavy team. They don’t rely on one guy to save them. They win as a unit. Five different players averaged over 14 points in the Cavs series. It’s wild. It’s different. And now that everyone’s (mostly) healthy? They’re dangerous.

So yeah, tonight’s game? It’s gonna be war. But the Pacers are walking in ready. No stars sitting, no major holes to plug. Just pure, locked-in basketball. This series isn’t over. Not even close. And with Turner and Siakam healthy? Boston better not blink!

Tyrese Haliburton feels the Pacers are different

Tyrese Haliburton said it himself: the Pacers aren’t built like anyone else. We’re different than every other team in the NBA, he said. We don’t just have one guy who scores all the points. That’s not just a nice quote for the postgame presser. That’s the gospel in Indiana. And he’s right. Haliburton might be the star, but he doesn’t dominate the stat sheet like your usual franchise guy. Nembhard’s right behind him in assists. Siakam leads the team in shot attempts. Turner makes key defensive stops. They move the ball. They trust each other, and it’s paying off.

In that Cavs closeout, Haliburton was a flamethrower with six threes and 31 points. But he credits the team’s unselfishness for his breakout. While Siakam cooked for 21, Nembhard quietly chipped in with 18 and playmaking poise. And Turner? Mr. Reliable on the other end. The Pacers had to absorb some serious punches from Cleveland, but when that third quarter flipped even after what Haliburton called a bulls**t start they didn’t fold. They pushed back. Hard.

There’s this belief floating around that the Pacers are all offense, no D. But against the Cavs? They forced 11 turnovers and held them to just 10 assists. That’s not luck; that’s effort. That’s depth. And in the playoffs, when legs are tired and stars are double-teamed, having five guys who can step up? That’s a cheat code!

Look, this team’s been disrespected all year. Siakam didn’t come to Indiana for a vacation. Turner stayed when everyone expected him to leave. And Haliburton? The guy’s done answering is he elite questions. The Pacers are no longer underdogs. They’re contenders. Period.