On October 29, 1983, Indiana lost 112-124 to Philadelphia, one season after a 20-62 bottom, and it took until Jack Ramsay's 41-41 club in 1986-87 to turn it around. This roster starts its climb from 19-63, the worst record in franchise history, sitting at 2-3 and heading to Miami without Tyrese Haliburton.
The climb after 20-62
Indiana has been at the bottom before. The 1982-83 team went 20-62, and on this date the next season the Pacers were still losing to Philadelphia, 112-124. There was no shortcut out. Jack Ramsay built a 41-41 team in 1986-87, sparked by Rookie of the Year Chuck Person, and it earned the franchise's first NBA-era playoff win. Last season's 19-63 came with Haliburton lost for the year to the Achilles he tore in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. That is the new floor, and Rick Carlisle's sixth season is the climb.
The name means pace
The franchise took its name from the Indianapolis 500 pace car, and Bobby Leonard's ABA teams won titles in 1970, 1972 and 1973 with Mel Daniels, George McGinnis and Roger Brown. That identity now runs through Andrew Nembhard. With Haliburton's left hamstring keeping him out until an estimated November 13, Nembhard handed out 14 assists against the 76ers, and Pascal Siakam added 26 points and 11 boards. The ball moved for three quarters, and Indiana won the third 36-13. Then the offense managed 21 over the last twelve minutes of a 109-114 loss.
Miami, and old rivals
The Heat belong with the Knicks, Bucks and Cavaliers among the NBA-era rivals whose series have decided Indiana's trips to the conference finals and beyond. The Emirates NBA Cup game in Miami on October 30 finds Erik Spoelstra's team at 1-4, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo on the roster and Simone Fontecchio listed with an illness. Indiana arrives 2-3 and 10th in the East. T.J. McConnell's right hamstring points to November 2, and Ivica Zubac's ankle carries an estimated return of October 30. Tony East of Forbes noted that the Pacers have held a fourth-quarter lead in four of their five games. Ramsay's team learned how to finish games, and this one has to learn the same thing.
What is the worst record in Pacers history?
It is 19-63, set last season while Tyrese Haliburton missed the whole year after tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The low before that came in 1982-83, when Indiana went 20-62.
Will Tyrese Haliburton play against the Heat?
No. He is listed out with a left hamstring strain, and his estimated return is November 13.
