Having nine different players clear the 30-point plateau over the last two seasons certainly speaks to the Indiana Pacers’ ability to introduce a different “hero” for every circumstance. But for every unpredictability, one staple can be safely guaranteed once the postseason rolls around: a night-to-night scoring punch courtesy of Pascal Siakam. A double-digit scorer in each of his last 56 playoff appearances, Indiana’s do-everything All-Star opened the scoring on May 23, 2025, and quite simply, never looked back thereafter. Fans of physical, coast-to-coast finishes were satisfied, as were those who enjoy seeing 6-foot-8 giants race for the floor for no-look dimes; just to be sure, though, Siakam also mixed in nifty post footwork-guided buckets, leaving no offensive stone unturned. Under Siakam’s guidance, the Pacers did the seemingly-unthinkable, in securing wins on the New York Knicks’ home court in back-to-back games. Eventually rewarded through a well-deserved Eastern Conference Most Valuable Player Award, the Game Two masterpiece included 39 points (on 15-of-23 shooting), five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers. · May 24, 2025