The Pacers have followed up their longest winning streak (seven) of the season with their longest losing streak (six). It stretched to six consecutive losses Thursday as they trailed wire-to-wire in a 111-98 loss to the Washington Wizards (34-21) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
George offered a candid assessment of the Pacers through 57 games. [Frank McGrath]
Following the loss, and before catching his jet to New Orleans for All-Star Weekend, Paul George addressed reporters.
“I’m the last person that wants to use excuses, man, but I think we’re exhausted,” George said after finishing with 17 points and seven rebounds. “Safe to say. We’ve been drained.”
Because of their weeklong trip to London in January, the Pacers played one of the NBA’s most difficult schedules in February. Through 10 games, and against good competition like Cleveland (twice), Washington (twice), San Antonio, and Oklahoma City, they went 4-6.
“There’s like a cloud over us right now, a dark cloud where we are coming into the arena not expecting great things,” George continued. “We gotta change that. I haven’t felt like we’ve been connected all year. … That’s what we were trying to find.”
Entering the All-Star break, the Pacers are 29-28 with 25 regular-season games left. 11 at home, 14 on the road.
“Everybody just needs to take a step back from basketball,” said Jeff Teague, “get a couple of days to be with their family, enjoy the break and get back focused and try to come back with a new sense of urgency. We’re a good team; talented. We’ve got enough in this locker room to make something special happen.”
Watch George discuss the Pacers’ season through 57 games below: