The Indiana Pacers will find it hard to name an MVP of their playoff run.
Bennedict Mathurin, TJ McConnell, and Obi Toppin had elite bench performances. Tyrese Haliburton hit clutch shot after clutch shot, and Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard played excellent defense.
Of course, Pascal Siakam's sustained excellence can't be overlooked. He averaged 20.5 points and 6.3 rebounds during the playoff run, although, like most Pacers, he wanted to give the credit to his teammates.
After their devastating Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton, who suffered an Achilles injury earlier in the game, was seen comforting his teammates while on crutches.
"It just shows his character and who he is as a player," said Siakam of Haliburton greeting his teammates in the tunnel after the loss. "It's one of the big reasons I'm here. He made it super fun for me to be here."
Midway through last season, the Pacers traded Bruce Brown, Kira Lewis Jr., Jordan Nwora, and three picks to the Toronto Raptors for Siakam, and he credits the trade with saving his career.
"A couple years ago, basketball was kind of dark for me," Siakam revealed. "It was not fun at all. I was traded here. These guys gave me a boost. I started with Ty, obviously. Just playing with these guys has been so incredible. I found my joy for the game. Just playing with so much swagger and happiness. That's all I want to do as a player. I've lost that for a while. It's just so incredible that I came to a team like these guys."
While Haliburton's injury might dampen their hopes of getting back to the Finals next season, this Pacers' team will be the first to tell you that they can never be counted out.
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