The Pacers are undefeated.

After last season, I intend to enjoy that for every available minute.

Indiana opens the regular season tonight in New Orleans, with Tyrese Haliburton back at the controls, Ivica Zubac beginning his first full season as a Pacer, and a few questions that four preseason games couldn’t answer.

We’ve spent October discussing how good this team might be. Tonight, actions have consequences.

Haliburton’s return gets real

The preseason gave us plenty to feel good about. Haliburton followed his twenty-four-point half in Oklahoma City with seventeen points and six assists against Milwaukee on Friday. Indiana lost the finale 128–127 in overtime, but the starting group again supplied reasons for optimism.

Now comes the work of running an offense through a full regular-season game.

I’m watching his changes of pace, his willingness to attack, and how quickly Indiana gets into its next action when the defense disrupts the first.

There will be uneven stretches. We are all prepared for them. Let's just hope that our depth keeps the train on the tracks when he hits his first wall.

Regardless, I’ve missed watching him make opposing defenses look inept.

A useful final rehearsal

Friday’s loss to Milwaukee left Indiana at 1–3 for the preseason. Pascal Siakam scored twenty-four points on 8-for-10 shooting, while Zubac supplied eleven points and eleven rebounds. The Pacers put up seventy-one points before halftime.

That’s an encouraging way for the principal pieces to finish their preparation.

Siakam should benefit from having Haliburton creating advantages again. Zubac gives both of them a substantial screen, a target near the basket, and someone capable of retrieving a missed shot.

Tonight, I want to see those benefits survive a defense that has prepared specifically to take them away. Can Indiana find Zubac when the first passing window closes? Can the surrounding players cut into the space his presence creates? Can the ball keep moving without everyone needing a brief conference?

The partnership has looked promising. Now we begin finding out how dependable it is.

Already a couple of chairs to fill

Aaron Nesmith and T.J. McConnell are out with hamstring injuries. Johnny Furphy also remains out with his knee injury. Kelly Oubre Jr. is projected to start alongside Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Siakam, and Zubac.

Losing Nesmith matters against a team with this much size and athleticism on the perimeter. Oubre gets an immediate opportunity to turn an encouraging camp into useful regular-season minutes.

McConnell’s absence creates another assignment. Indiana needs someone to organize the possessions when Haliburton rests. I’ll be interested in how Carlisle staggers Nembhard, whether Braden Smith gets an early opportunity, and how much playmaking responsibility falls to Jarace Walker.

The preseason offered some adventurous reserve possessions. Tonight, a boring pass to the correct person would be perfectly acceptable.

New Orleans has ways to make this uncomfortable

The Pelicans’ projected starting group features Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Yves Missi. New coach Jamahl Mosley arrives with an emphasis on defense and plenty of length to work with.

For Indiana, the offensive priority is getting that group moving. Advance the ball, make the early pass, and force defenders to change assignments before they’re comfortable.

At the other end, Williamson presents the familiar problem of a very large man arriving at the basket considerably faster than anyone would prefer.

Containing him requires help. Helping creates openings elsewhere. I’m watching whether Indiana can show enough bodies to discourage the drive while still recovering to shooters—and whether someone remembers to collect the rebound afterward.

Zubac has an important job tonight. So do the four people around him.

And yes, there’s Bennedict

Bennedict Mathurin begins his Pelicans regular-season career against his former team.

Knowing Benn, I assume he won’t require an elaborate motivational presentation.

Indiana needs to defend him with some discipline. Stay in front, avoid reaching, and make him finish over a contest. Giving him free throws and an early rhythm would be an unnecessarily hospitable welcome.

I wish him a productive season beginning sometime after tonight.

Tonight’s details

Opponent: New Orleans Pelicans
When: Wednesday, October 21, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Watch: DAZN
Listen: 93.5/107.5 The Fan.

My opening-night wish list: Haliburton looking comfortable, Zubac finishing possessions, and the reserves keeping the offense functional long enough for everyone to catch their breath.

A win would also be a pleasant change from admiring the encouraging parts of a close loss.

Eighty-two games ahead. Let’s start with one.

What are you watching for tonight?

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