Indiana assigned Niang to the Mad Ants on Tuesday in the midst of their longest road trip of the season. Everyone on the roster was healthy and he wasn’t going to get playing time.
That’s when using the D-League is smart for younger guys.
Niang started in all three games, and he averaged 16 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His best game was Saturday night, when in 41 miuntes, he scored 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting. He also had six rebounds and six assists.
The 12-12 Pacers, who have had a .500 record already 10 times this season, will try to snap a four-game losing streak to the Charlotte Hornets Monday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.