Did anyone see Taelon Peter coming? This rookie just exploded onto the scene, leading a severely depleted Pacers team to a surprising preseason victory against the Thunder! But here's where it gets interesting... was this a fluke, or are we witnessing the birth of a new Pacers star?
Pacers Secure Preseason Win Over Thunder Despite Short Roster, Taelon Peter Shines
In a Saturday night showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Pacers, led by an unexpected hero, rookie Taelon Peter, defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-101 in a preseason game that was a rematch of the NBA Finals. Johnny Furphy had another thunderous dunk, but unfortunately got hurt. Cameron Payne also made his Pacers debut in the game. The Pacers will host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday at 7 p.m.
The Pacers, now boasting a 2-0 preseason record, were missing a significant portion of their roster. But that didn't stop them. They'll face the San Antonio Spurs at home on Monday night.
Fourth-year guard Bennedict Mathurin contributed a solid 16 points in the first half, while forward Obi Toppin added 14 points before both were rested, signaling this was more about evaluating depth than chasing a win at all costs for established players. Quenton Jackson, another guard, chipped in 14 points on efficient shooting (6-8, including 2-4 from beyond the arc) before a sore right hamstring sidelined him. RayJ Dennis scored 11, center James Wiseman contributed 10, and forward Jarace Walker rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points, along with eight rebounds and seven assists, showcasing his all-around potential. For the Thunder, Chris Youngblood led the scoring with 25 points.
Both teams, still fresh from their Finals appearance, opted to rest numerous key players, perhaps with an eye towards their regular-season rematch on October 23rd. The Pacers were without All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, point guard Andrew Nembhard, and small forward Aaron Nesmith. Furthermore, veteran point guard T.J. McConnell and guards Ben Sheppard and Kam Jones were sidelined with injuries. Of course, All-Star Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season. The Thunder, not to be outdone, left a staggering 10 players back in Oklahoma City, including MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-NBA forward Jalen Williams, and key rotation players like Chet Holmgren, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartensten, Alex Caruso and Kenrich Williams. Talk about a skeleton crew!
Here's a breakdown of three key takeaways from the game:
1. Taelon Peter Seizes His Opportunity, Showers Threes
The Pacers' backcourt injury woes have unexpectedly opened the door for rookie Taelon Peter, the No. 54 pick from Liberty University. Signed to a two-way contract, Peter has been given valuable minutes not only in the preseason but also alongside starters and key second-unit players. And he's making the most of it! His performance in his second game was even more impressive than his first.
Peter led the Pacers with 18 points, shooting an efficient 6-11 from the field and a scorching 4-8 from three-point range in 27 minutes. He also grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists, and snagged two steals, proving his ability to contribute on both ends of the court as a playmaker and defender. While naturally a shooting guard, he can handle the ball when needed, and his long-range touch is undeniable. While he'll likely spend considerable time with the Noblesville Boom, an affiliate team, any prolonged injuries to Sheppard, Jackson, or Furphy could thrust him into a significant role sooner than expected.
And this is the part most people miss... Peter's journey to this point is remarkable. He began his college career at Tennessee Tech, then transferred to Division II Arkansas Tech before returning to Division I with Liberty for a single season. At Liberty, he helped the Flames secure both the Conference USA regular-season and tournament titles, earning all-conference honors and the league's Sixth Man of the Year award. The Pacers were drawn to his shooting efficiency from all areas of the court (57.8% overall, 45.3% from three, and 75.6% from two), believing he'd thrive in their up-tempo, wide-open system.
"He was an experienced four-year guy in college, and he knows who he is," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "He knows what his strengths are. He's tough-minded. He's physical, doesn't mind contact. He's a better athlete than people think, and he can shoot the ball."
Peter himself feels the Pacers' offense aligns perfectly with his strengths, allowing him to run the floor for easy transition buckets and find open looks from beyond the arc. His quick release and athletic build (6'3", 185 lbs) make him well-suited for the Pacers' fluid style of play.
"At Liberty, we played similarly," Peter explained. "I spread to the corners and made shots, and we played this randomized basketball on offense... It prepared me for how we played here."
Peter admits that the Pacers' full-court pressure defense has been an adjustment, but he's adapting quickly, evidenced by his two steals in each of his first two preseason games.
"I surprised myself," Peter confessed. "I've always been an offensive player... but I've never really put the time and effort into defense. I've kind of surprised myself with what I'm able to do on the defensive end. I think it's been a big part of this transition. I'm doing whatever I can to get on the court and stay on the court. A lot of times that's what it takes."
2. Johnny Furphy's Thunderous Dunk Ends in Ankle Sprain
Johnny Furphy continues to demonstrate his fearless approach, consistently attacking the basket and dunking over defenders. This time, Oklahoma City's Malevy Leons was the victim, mirroring a similar dunk over Bulls rookie Noa Essengue at the NBA Summer League.
Furphy's dunk over Leons was a powerful right-handed tomahawk that ignited the Pacers' bench. It followed a similar dunk over new center Jay Huff in practice, which the Pacers playfully shared on social media. Huff joked about the widespread attention the dunk received but acknowledged his teammate's impressive athleticism.
"That Furphy dunk was pretty ridiculous," Huff said. "Every day we see something like that from him. It's pretty crazy."
Furphy finished with eight points on 3-6 shooting before suffering a left ankle sprain that forced him to leave the game. Here's hoping it's nothing serious!
3. Cameron Payne Struggles to Score in Pacers Debut
With T.J. McConnell sidelined and Andrew Nembhard resting, Cameron Payne made his Pacers debut at point guard just two days after joining the team. He displayed proficiency in running the offense and a willingness to apply defensive pressure, but he's clearly still adjusting. Just days before, he was in New York, anticipating a return home to Phoenix for the season.
Payne recorded three assists against two turnovers, showing flashes of connection with his new teammates. He quickly learned he could simply lob the ball high to Obi Toppin on the break, resulting in an easy layup. However, a miscommunication with center Jay Huff on a lob attempt nearly led to a turnover.
But here's where it gets controversial... Payne's own scoring touch was absent. He missed two three-pointers on the game's first possession and finished with zero points on 0-4 shooting in 19 minutes.
Carlisle acknowledged that a transition period is to be expected, especially given the Pacers' demands on both ends of the court. While Payne had maintained his fitness, game condition is a different beast.
"He's still getting in shape," Carlisle said. "At the timeout five minutes into the game, he was really tired. I think we left him in for another minute and tried to space his runs so it's not too much too soon. But he'll get his legs quickly. He's a pro athlete, has been for a decade. I like his feel for the game. I like his knowledge. He knows how to navigate running a team. He's going to get there very quickly."
Quenton Jackson stepped in as the backup point guard for 11 first-half minutes but didn't play in the second half due to a sore right hamstring.
Jackson, primarily a shooting guard, is valued by Carlisle for his energy, which proved valuable last November when the Pacers were shorthanded. Despite occasional wildness, Jackson's energy provides a proven spark. On Saturday, he scored 14 points in just over 11 minutes, shooting 6-8 from the field and 2-4 from three. He also added two assists and posted a +10 plus/minus rating.
"He's aggressive, and he's another guy who knows who he is and how he has to play," Carlisle said. "He's going to play with force, he's going to play with energy. He's going to push the issue offensively and defensively. He has a defiance with how he plays, which is who he is."
So, what do you think? Is Taelon Peter the real deal, or just a preseason flash in the pan? Will Cameron Payne find his rhythm with the Pacers? And how concerning are these early injuries? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
