With the NBA preseason tipping off and anticipation reaching a fever pitch, the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons are both facing pivotal moments as they prepare for the 2025-26 campaign. The Pacers, fresh off a surprising run to the NBA Finals, are navigating life without their star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is sidelined for the season with a torn Achilles. Meanwhile, the Pistons are riding high on bold predictions, with their eyes set on individual accolades and team milestones as they open their preseason against the Memphis Grizzlies.
For Indiana, the absence of Haliburton leaves a massive void. The dynamic playmaker was instrumental in the Pacers' deep postseason journey last year, and his injury has naturally shifted attention to Pascal Siakam. Acquired during the previous season, Siakam quickly established himself as a cornerstone for the franchise, averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on impressive 52/39/73 shooting splits across 78 starts. His stellar play earned him a third NBA All-Star nod, and many expect him to shoulder even more responsibility this time around.
But Siakam is quick to dispel the notion that he’ll simply step in as the team’s undisputed number one option. "That’s not the way I look at it. We have to do it collectively. Have to have a group and do it together. Make sure I lead by example and the standard we have set," Siakam stated during Media Day, as reported by Tyler Smith of IndySportsLegends.com. His message is clear: Indiana’s success will hinge on a team-first mentality, not just individual heroics.
Siakam’s leadership will be crucial as the Pacers aim to build on last season’s momentum. Their 2024-25 campaign was nothing short of remarkable, with the team nearly capturing their first Larry O’Brien trophy before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. That run was fueled by a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, with Bennedict Mathurin’s journey standing out as a microcosm of the squad’s resilience.
Mathurin, who averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 45.8 percent shooting over 72 games last season, experienced an inconsistent role during the playoffs. Reflecting on his postseason experience, Mathurin shared, "Sometimes, I didn’t know when I was going to get into the games. I was just so excited that I was able to unlock a level of focus just to remain focused on the game. Whether I play 35 minutes or 17 or six minutes, to just go out there and give my all. I feel like that’s one part of the playoff experience I was able to unlock," as told to Alex Golden on X. With Haliburton out, Mathurin is expected to take on a much larger role, and his growth could be a critical X-factor for Indiana’s playoff aspirations this season.
As the Pacers regroup, the Detroit Pistons are entering the new season with a sense of optimism and a laundry list of bold predictions. Their preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum on October 6 marks the beginning of what they hope will be a transformative year. The Pistons’ regular season tips off October 22 in Chicago against the Bulls, but all eyes are already on their rising star, Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham, who tied for seventh in MVP voting last season alongside Anthony Edwards, is projected to vault into the top five for the league’s most prestigious individual honor. This surge is partly due to the absence of perennial MVP candidate Jayson Tatum, who, like Haliburton, is out for the season with a torn Achilles. The door is wide open for Cunningham to solidify his place among the NBA elite, especially if Detroit can improve on their 44-win total from a year ago. The MVP race tends to favor players on contending teams, so the Pistons’ collective performance will be just as important as Cunningham’s individual brilliance.
Defense is also a major storyline in Detroit, thanks to the emergence of Ausar Thompson. The athletic wing led the Pistons in steals last season, averaging 1.7 per game despite playing just 22.5 minutes and missing the entire offseason due to a blood clot diagnosis. With a larger role expected, Thompson is predicted to average over two steals per game and challenge for the league lead. His defensive prowess, highlighted by a standout playoff performance against New York’s Jalen Brunson, has put him on the radar for both Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Shooting is another area where the Pistons are looking to make history. After Malik Beasley’s remarkable 2024-25 campaign, in which he joined the exclusive 300 three-pointer club, Duncan Robinson is now poised to follow suit. Robinson’s previous best was 270 made threes in a shortened season, and with Detroit relying on his shooting for floor spacing, he could very well reach the 300 mark if he stays healthy.
Young forward Ron Holland is also under the spotlight, particularly regarding his outside shooting. After hitting just 23.8 percent of his threes as a rookie, Holland has shown marked improvement during summer league and training camp, with expectations that he’ll crack the 33.3 percent threshold this year. If his progress continues, Holland could become a key contributor on the wing.
Backcourt scoring will be vital for Detroit, especially with Jaden Ivey’s return from a season-ending broken leg suffered on January 1. Ivey averaged 17.6 points before the injury and is projected to surpass the 20-point mark as the Pistons’ designated second scoring option. With Beasley’s departure, more shot opportunities are available, and Ivey is well-positioned to capitalize.
On the playmaking front, Jalen Duren’s evolution as a passer is another subplot worth watching. He averaged a career-best 2.7 assists last season, and with increased responsibilities when Cunningham sits, Duren is expected to top three assists per game in 2025-26. His ability to make smart decisions under pressure has earned the coaching staff’s trust, and his development could be a difference-maker in tight games.
As both teams prepare to embark on their new campaigns, the storylines are rich with intrigue. The Pacers face the daunting challenge of life without Haliburton, but with Siakam’s leadership and Mathurin’s continued growth, they’re far from out of the fight. The Pistons, meanwhile, are brimming with potential, banking on Cunningham’s MVP ascent, Thompson’s defensive dominance, and a supporting cast eager to prove themselves on the league’s biggest stage.
With preseason action just getting underway and so many variables in play, fans of both franchises have plenty to watch for as the NBA’s next chapter unfolds. The journey is just beginning, and the coming months promise no shortage of drama, surprises, and unforgettable moments on the hardwood.