A lot happens each week with the Pacers and it’s not easy to stay on top of it. Introducing a new weekly feature, Pacers Last Week, which should help keep you up-to-date on all things Pacers.
The Pacers (12-11) open a season-long six-game homestand Monday night against the New York Knicks (sans Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr.)
- Victor Oladipo (right knee bruise) returned from his one game absence to hit his first 11 shots in a win over the Magic. The Pacers have won six straight games in the series.
- Oladipo, by the way, is willing to sing the national anthem before a Pacers home game. Stay tuned.
- Oladipo was overheard singing in the shower after a home game. Take a listen.
- While in Houston with the team, Joe Young went back to Yates High School and became the first player to have his number retired.
- Rookie Edmond Sumner, who had ACL surgery earlier this year, was cleared for contact work.
- Former Pacer Scot Pollard joined me on the podcast – which was both entertaining and insightful. I think you’ll enjoy it.
- Fever President and COO Kelly Krauskopf relinquished her role as general manager to head coach Pokey Chatman so she could focus on her role as leads the Pacers’ entry into the NBA’s new eSports league. (Personal note: I’ve thought several times that she would be perfect as WNBA president.)
- Mad Ants guard Walt Lemon Jr. was named NBA G League Player of the Month for November. He averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.7 steals in helping the team to an 8-1 start to the season.
- Alex Poythress, on a two-way contract, made his season debut with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants Saturday night — a 107-94 loss to Westchester — and contributed 21 points (9 for 18 FGs), three assists, two rebounds, and two steals in 26 minutes. Rookie Ike Anigbogu had eight points and 10 boards in 24 minutes.
- Several Pacers, including Victor Oladipo, Lance Stephenson, and Cory Joseph, were among the players who went shopping with families from the Bethany Christian Services at Circle Centre mall Sunday evening. Each child received Papa John’s Pizza, a $200 gift card, plus each family was given a $100 Kroger gift card. It’s one of the best team events with the community each year.
- I’ll never forget Stephenson roaming through the mall with a kid on his back, and he said – “Kids love Born Ready!”
HIGHLIGHTS: @AlexTheGreat22 scored 21 points in his season debut with the Mad Ants last night pic.twitter.com/6fHBX0V6t2
— Fort Wayne Mad Ants (@TheMadAnts) December 3, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcICaM1lR87EP9MNSWCI1US_yrxXHrJ7R8Wp3Q0/
[Photo: @mightyjoeyoung3]