Just a few days after the calendar was published for the 2024-25 NBA seasonIndiana Pacers fans got a good look at who their team would play and when, now knowing exactly when to circle on the calendar.
Naturally, Pacers fans seem particularly eager to face the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics in a playoff game from last season. Plus, they’ll be eager to face their old friends Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings and Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, even though the Pacers are hoping their success from last season’s Eastern Conference Finals will continue this season, they will certainly face some challenges. In particular, their 10-game losing streak to start the season could prove exhausting and could end up becoming a defining streak.
From October 25 to November 13, the Pacers will play a 10-game series against nine teams that made the playoffs last season, including the defending champion Celtics. Additionally, six of those 10 games will be away games. The 10-game series is as follows:
10/25: @ Knicks (ESPN),
10/27: vs. 76ers
10/28: @ Orlando Magic
10/30: vs. Celtics (ESPN)
11/1: @ New Orleans Pelicans
11/4: @ Dallas Mavericks
11/6: against Magic
11/8: @ Charlotte Hornets
11/10: against the Knicks
13/11: @ Magic
The Pacers have played the Magic three times, including twice in Orlando. They’ve also played the Knicks twice, and they’ve played the Celtics and Mavericks, both teams in this year’s NBA Finals, in a three-game series.
Indiana will also face Philadelphia, which many expect to overtake the Pacers in the standings next season after a busy offseason.
The only team the Pacers will face during this stretch that wasn’t in the playoffs last season is the Hornets. However, with new coach Charles Lee at the helm, along with the additions of Tidjane Salaun and Josh Green, the Hornets should be a much better team next season.
It’s early in the season, but if the Pacers can come out of this stretch with a positive record, it could be a good indication that they’re a legitimate threat to come out of the Eastern Conference next year.
