In this “Return to Basketball” episode of The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan gear up as the Indiana Pacers resume action with a back-to-back starting Thursday in DC against the Wizards—post-All-Star break edition! We give our final thoughts on the NBA tanking narrative: Mark Cuban’s viral X manifesto defending/embracing tanking (with his Mavericks history), Kevin Pritchard quote-tweeting it and polling Pacers fans on their stance, plus Rick Carlisle’s comments on the fine and his plan for working Ivica Zubac into the lineup. Pacers were back at practice this week—first injury report for the Wizards game drops Siakam out (personal reasons) and Zubac still sidelined (ankle sprain, no debut yet). We close out a jam-packed episode talking pure delusion with Kevin Durant’s latest burner account drama.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this All-Star Weekend recap episode of The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan break down the action from Intuit Dome! Pascal Siakam represented the Indiana Pacers proudly on Team World, holding his own in the new USA vs. World round-robin format. Adam Silver doubled down on tanking concerns, calling it worse than recent memory and hinting at big remedies ahead. The dunk contest was a total dud, but the new All-Star Game format had players buying in big: Wemby set the early tone, Kawhi Leonard exploded for 31 points to thrill the home crowd and advance USA Stripes, and games stayed competitive… until Ant Edwards and the young USA Stars ran the veteran “OGs” (USA Stripes) off the floor in the final as Ant-man won his first All-Star Game MVP. We recap everything from the weekend that was in Los Angeles.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this quick reaction episode of The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan dive headfirst into the NBA’s $100,000 fine against the Indiana Pacers for violating the Player Participation Policy in the Feb. 3 home loss to the Utah Jazz. Pascal Siakam was rested on the second night of a back-to-back, with other starters sidelined—despite the league’s investigation (including an independent physician) concluding they could have played under reduced minutes. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver didn’t hold back: “Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games.” We break down the fine, Silver’s pointed statement, and the glaring hypocrisy—why hammer load management/rest when the league turns a blind eye to foul-baiting stars like Jalen Brunson and SGA, or reckless/dirty play from Draymond Green and Lu Dort that actually endangers players? We get into all of it and tease a little bit around the All-Star weekend ahead.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Part 1 of this special 2-part crossover episode, Brad and Ryan are joined by Alex Golden from Setting the Pace! We kick off the 2026 All-Star Break with a quick recap of the Pacers gritty win over the Nets, share our collective thoughts on the blockbuster Ivica Zubac (and Kobe Brown) trade from the Clippers, and discuss Johnny Furphy’s season-ending ACL tear opening up minutes for newly acquired Kobe Brown. Then we dive into the buzzing NBA expansion talks—two new teams potentially coming, with existing franchises protecting just 8 players—who would the Pacers lock in? We wrap with the biggest remaining holes on this roster after the deadline. Be sure to catch Part 2 over on Setting the Pace!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this emergency injury update episode of The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan break down the heartbreaking news rocking the Indiana Pacers: second-year forward Johnny Furphy has suffered a torn right ACL. Per Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, Furphy underwent an MRI in New York today after awkwardly landing following a dunk in Sunday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors. The results confirmed the tear, sidelining the promising Aussie swingman for the remainder of this already injury-ravaged season. This is yet another devastating blow for a Pacers team that’s been decimated by injuries. We discuss what Furphy’s absence means for the lineup, his breakout flashes this year, the mounting frustration in Indy, and whether this cursed season can find any silver lining.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pacers first-round pick is officially on the line — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode, we take a full deep dive into the NBA Draft Lottery and what it means for Indiana’s future. With a top-4 protected pick, spots 5–9 heading to the Clippers, and 10–30 staying in Indy, every loss (and win) down the stretch matters. Miss the protection window this year, and the cost jumps to an unprotected 2031 first-round pick. We break down:how the NBA Draft Lottery actually works, The Pacers current lottery position and exact odds from every slot, what finish gives Indiana the best chance to land in the top 4, and just how tantalizing a shot at a loaded draft class could be — featuring names like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. This is the math, strategy, and reality check behind one of the most important Pacers picks in years that all the sudden just got WAY more interesting.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We take a deeper dive on the Ivica Zubac trade and close the book on the Bennedict Mathurin era in Indiana. In this episode, we make our last, clearest case for why this deal had to happen — why moving Benn was necessary, and why the Pacers ultimately nailed the timing and the return. We break down Zubac’s fit on both ends of the floor, how his physicality, rebounding, and defensive presence immediately change the identity of this team, and why having a bona fide starting center unlocks everything the Pacers want to be. With a legitimate defensive anchor in place and a potential top-4 pick looming, we zoom out and talk about where this franchise is headed next season — and why this move signals the Pacers are not just flirting with the future, but are ready to push their chips in and win now. This one is about clarity, conviction, and the start of the Pacers next real window.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pacers just pushed every chip to the center of the table. Indiana lands Ivica Zubac in what can only be described as a home-run, win-now trade by Kevin Pritchard. Giving up Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 first, the 2029 first, and a Dallas 2028 second isn’t cheap — but this is the exact type of swing championship teams have to make. Zubac brings elite size, physicality, rebounding, and defensive presence — everything this roster has been missing in the postseason. An All-NBA caliber defender last season, he instantly stabilizes the paint, changes matchups, and unlocks Indiana’s ceiling over the next few years. Big risk. Bigger belief. Kudos to Kevin Pritchard for getting his guy and officially putting the Pacers in championship mode.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.