What started as an AI autocorrect gaff has turned into a running joke — and now, maybe something more. Brad and Ryan lean into the accidental nickname Jarace “Karate” Walker while breaking down the very real rise of Jarace Walker after an incredibly rough start to the season. Once written off by much of Pacers Nation, Jarace has quietly emerged from the ashes with a stretch of play that’s changing the conversation. Over the last month, the numbers — and the film — are finally lining up. The three-point shooting looks real, the turnovers are down, and his defensive impact is starting to pop, highlighted by his ninja-like hands (hence “Karate”) and a five-steal performance against Atlanta. Is this a real breakthrough? A sign of long-term growth? Maybe it’s just the beginning of what the Pacers hoped they were getting all along.

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With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, Brad and Ryan zoom out to survey the league — and then zoom back in on where the Indiana Pacers fit into the chaos. The conversation starts with the biggest potential domino of them all: Giannis Antetokounmpo — and what ripple effects a shift at the top could create across the association. From there, we work our way through other notable names and situations to monitor, separating real possibilities from noise. For Indiana, the focus sharpens around two key questions: Which centers might realistically be available — and at what cost? And does Bennedict Mathurin ultimately get moved before next Thursday’s deadline as the Pacers weigh value, fit, and timing? Big-picture league movement, Pacers-specific angles, and how everything could connect once the first domino falls.

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For most of the night, it felt like another quiet, forgettable performance. Then everything flipped. The Indiana Pacers erase a 14-point deficit with a stunning 26–9 run to close the game, storming past the Chicago Bulls at home for win No. 12 on the season — their third victory over Chicago this year. Pascal Siakam led the charge with 13 points in the fourth quarter, while Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith delivered clutch shot-making when it mattered most. On the defensive end, Johnny Furphy and Nesmith made key stops down the stretch to seal the comeback. A game that looked destined to fade away turned into one of the Pacers most exciting finishes of the season — effort, execution, and belief showing up right on time.

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With All-Star reserve spots up for grabs, the margin is razor thin. Brad and Ryan break down the crowded field — roughly 9–10 legitimate candidates for 7 reserve spots — and make the case for why Pascal Siakam deserves to hear his name called. Despite the Pacers lack of team success, Siakam has quietly done more with less than many of his peers in the conversation. While others benefit from stability and surrounding talent, Pascal has been the steady anchor for a roster plagued by injuries, lineup changes, and constant rotation churn. Game winners. Night-to-night consistency. An elite all-around stat line. This episode lays out why coaches should reward impact, responsibility, and reliability — not just team record — when casting their votes for the NBA All-Star Game. Call it homerism if you want — but the case is real, and the production backs it up.

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There comes a point where potential, flashes, and hope have to give way to reality. In this episode, Brad and Ryan lay out the case for why it may be time for the Indiana Pacers to move on from Bennedict Mathurin — and do so while there’s still real value to be had. Mathurin, a former lottery pick, has shown undeniable scoring talent and delivered unforgettable moments — most notably his eruption in Game 3 of the NBA Finals last season. But as the sample size grows, those highs have increasingly become the exception rather than the rule. The all-around production, consistency, and fit within the Pacers identity simply haven’t followed. With restricted free agency looming and a potentially significant payday on the horizon, the front office faces a difficult question: is Mathurin a long-term building block — or an asset best moved before the league’s perception shifts further? This isn’t about denying the talent. It’s about timing, fit, and value. Sometimes, the hardest move is the right move, and simply put — it’s time to Break Up With Benn.

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The Pacers walk back into Oklahoma City and do the most Pacers thing possible — they beat the NBA’s best team and exorcise some serious demons. Indiana avenges last year’s Game 7 heartbreak with a cathartic win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, delivering one of the most fun nights of an otherwise frustrating season. A career night from Jarace Walker, elite defense from Johnny Furphy in the starting lineup, and a near triple-double on hyper-efficient shooting from Andrew Nembhard powered the win. The Pacers did it shorthanded, too — without Tyrese Haliburton in the building, as he shared with Taylor Rooks that it was still too soon to return following his Game 7 Achilles injury. He made it clear though: the next time he’s in OKC, he plans to be in uniform. A night of redemption, release, and a reminder of what this group is capable of when it all clicks.

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We wrap up our three-part midseason report card series by tackling the most debated position on the roster: Center. Brad and Ryan hand out letter grades and classroom-style comps for every big man who’s logged minutes this season, breaking down roles, production, fit, and limitations within the Pacers’ system. We discuss what’s worked, what clearly hasn’t, and why the position remains the biggest unresolved question as the season hits its midpoint. The conversation zooms out to the bigger picture — how roster construction, matchup realities, and schematic needs have shaped the Pacers approach, and why the front office is almost certainly gearing up for change. Whether that answer comes via trade, the draft, or free agency, one thing is clear: the center position will define the next phase of this rebuild. Honest grades, clear-eyed evaluation, and a look ahead at what has to be addressed moving forward.

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Part 2 of our midseason report card series turns the focus to the wings and forwards — the most versatile and identity-shaping group on the Pacers roster. Brad and Ryan hand out letter grades and classroom-style comps for the Pacers frontcourt and wing rotation, including Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy, and the rest of the group tasked with defending, spacing the floor, and bridging lineups on both ends. We evaluate production, role clarity, growth, and fit — who’s delivered, who’s developing, and who’s still finding consistency as the season hits its midpoint. The conversation also zooms out to examine how this group supports the core, what it means for lineup flexibility, and how these pieces factor into the Pacers long-term vision. Honest grades, fair critiques, and context for where the wings and forwards stand heading into the second half. Next up: Centers — and the biggest questions still left to answer.

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