The homecoming went well. Now comes the home opener.

The Pacers host Atlanta tonight after beating Minnesota 123–112 in Ames on Wednesday. Haliburton got his return, Iowa State got its celebration, and we got enough encouraging basketball to begin making irresponsible October projections. (More on that below).

Before we get carried away, there were also twenty turnovers.

What happened against Minnesota

Indiana trailed 65–61 at halftime, then won the third quarter 38–26 and carried that advantage through the finish. The Pacers shot 53.3% from the field, made seventeen of thirty-three threes, and recorded thirty-nine assists. Aaron Nesmith led the scoring with nineteen points on 7-for-9 shooting, including four threes.

Those are pleasing numbers, though the final margin needs some preseason context. Both teams' main players did their work in the first half, and the reserves handled much of what followed. Still, the ball movement gave us something worth enjoying.

The main event was Haliburton. He finished with seven points and six assists in sixteen minutes, scoring Indiana’s first basket on a stepback jumper. Afterward, he said adrenaline had him playing too fast and that he needed to settle down.

Understandable. We were all a little excited.

Unfortunately, he will not be playing tonight after tweaking an ankle.

Jarace gave us something to discuss

Walker finished with seven points, five rebounds, and ten assists against one turnover. He also produced the sort of play that will keep appearing in highlight packages: throwing the ball off the backboard to himself, retrieving it in the air, and finding Jay Huff.

Asked about it Friday, Walker said, “I had no plan, dog.”

A reassuring admission from someone whose next step is about finding consistent rhythm.

The ordinary passes mattered more. Walker found cutters and kept possessions moving. After a camp spent talking about becoming a dependable player within the system, he gave us a productive first example.

I’d happily take another evening of sound decisions against Atlanta. Ten assists would be lovely, but he can have a good game without reproducing that number.

The rotation had a wrinkle

With T.J. McConnell unavailable, Carlisle first turned to Obi Toppin, Kelly Oubre, and Walker. Toppin and Siakam shared the frontcourt before Huff entered later, while Ben Sheppard joined the action to begin the second quarter.

That matters after camp reports had suggested a more conventional second unit with Huff at center. One exhibition doesn’t establish the rotation, but Carlisle showed he’ll use different configurations.

Huff eventually finished with sixteen points, four rebounds, and four assists. Sheppard added thirteen points and made three of five threes. Braden Smith contributed five assists and five rebounds in fourteen minutes.

There are several players making useful early cases for minutes. Tonight should give us another look at how Carlisle combines them.

Zubac is still finding his place

Zubac finished with six points, three rebounds, and two assists against Minnesota. His screens created openings, but there were also possessions where Indiana’s spacing and next decision needed work.

On Friday, Zubac acknowledged that he sometimes felt in the way. He and Haliburton discussed their pick-and-roll timing after the game, including when to hold a screen and when to roll.

That’s exactly the work these games are for. Tonight, I want to see a few more possessions where the screen, pass, and finish arrive in sequence, even if Haliburton isn't playing.

What Atlanta brings

The Hawks arrive at 1–1 after recovering from a twenty-three-point deficit to beat San Antonio 123–116. They made ten threes in the second quarter of that game. Atlanta’s perimeter pressure, particularly from Dyson Daniels, should give Indiana’s ball handlers a useful test.

The latest pregame reporting has Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dorian Finney-Smith sitting for rest, with Lu Dort expected to make his Hawks debut.

For Indiana, the assignment is to keep the passing without donating possessions. Thirty-nine assists against Minnesota was excellent. Twenty turnovers leaves room for improvement. Against a team eager to turn steals into transition opportunities, those mistakes can become expensive quickly.

I’m also interested in Zubac’s matchup with Onyeka Okongwu. Atlanta can make him move his feet, while Indiana should have opportunities to use his size at the other end.

A possible Nance debut

Larry Nance Jr. practiced Friday for the first time since his hamstring injury. Carlisle said there was a chance he would be available against Atlanta. That was a possibility, not confirmation, but it’s progress after a limited start to camp.

If he plays, we’ll get our first look at another frontcourt option—and another variable in a bench rotation that already has plenty.

The Prediction Competition

Need an outlet for the irresponsible October predictions I mentioned above? Don't forget to fill out your picks in the prediction competition! You have until the beginning of the regular season.

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Tonight’s details

Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET, Saturday, October 10
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Watch: DAZN locally; NBA League Pass out of market, subject to restrictions.

Wednesday gave us a happy return and a productive first outing. Tonight, I’d like to see cleaner possessions, a little more comfort for Zubac, and another dependable game from Walker.

And if Nesmith wants to keep making almost everything, that would be fine too.

What are you watching for tonight?

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