iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

We caught up with Braden Smith at the Pacers Foundation charity softball game on Monday and talked about what he learned from his struggles in Summer League, particularly on defense: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Pacers rookie Braden Smith working to fix his Summer League flaws: 'Gotta be better'

Westfield native Braden Smith thinks he's his own hardest critic. He explained the areas he wants to improve, and how he's had the help of Pacers teammates.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

From last night, on Tyrese Haliburton bringing back the city charity softball game and putting on a good show in his first quasi-competitive public appearance in 14 months. Dude went 4-for-5: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton goes all out for packed house in charity softball game

Tyrese Haliburton's revitalization of the charity softball game packed Victory Field on Monday night and he went 4-for-5 at the plate.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Thanks everybody who helped out on this fan reaction story to the Pacers' deal with DAZN. Basically what you would've expected: If you were already streaming Pacers games, this is an upgrade. If you were paying for cable, you're not pleased: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Pacers fans divided on DAZN streaming move for broadcasts: 'Worth it' or 'I hate it here'

Pacers fans who had been watching the team on streaming apps appreciated the pricing in the DAZN deal, but many want a traditional channel

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I don’t get nearly enough Tony East discussions in the deep summer, so this was good times.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Took about two months to get it all straightened out -- and an apparently lucrative contract from Partizan Belgrade for Ethan Thompson -- but Braden Smith officially has his two-way deal: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Braden Smith (finally) signs two-way contract with Pacers

Nearly two months after the draft, the Pacers signed Purdue guard Braden Smith to a two-way contract

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Ethan Thompson is signing with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, Braden Smith is going to be on the roster whether on a standard or two-way deal and the Pacers are close to finalizing their roster for 2026-27: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Pacers' Ethan Thompson to sign with Serbian team, open door for Braden Smith

A source confirmed that Pacers guard Ethan Thompson will sign a contract with Partizan Belgrade, opening a two-way contract spot for Braden Smith

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Added more to this Tyrese Haliburton story. More on his rehab and recovery and how he still wants to push himself before camp, his thoughts on Kelly Oubre, the impetus of bringing back the softball game and his Cubs over Dodgers' first pitch choice: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

'If the season was today, I'd be ready': Tyrese Haliburton says he's cleared

Tyrese Haliburton says he's feeling very strong as he approaches his return from the Achilles tendon tear that cost him his 2025-26 season

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Pacers' NBA Cup schedule is as follows: at Miami on Oct. 30 at 8 p.m., home vs. New York on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.; at Cleveland Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.; home vs. Philadelphia, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The Knicks game will be broadcast on Prime.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Put together a power rankings for the Eastern Conference post-LeBron signing. Have the Pacers third. Feel pretty justified in how I order this but can also imagine the whole top 10 being totally different. East is wide open: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

NBA East Power Rankings: Where do the Pacers land in the rebuilt conference?

It's hard to argue against any of the top 9 teams being a legitimate contender to come out the East. Where do the Pacers fit?

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Wrote pretty off-the-cuff about what I think the LeBron signing means for the Pacers, in the sense that it just made an Eastern Conference contender better: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

What LeBron signing with the Sixers means for the Pacers

LeBron James' signing with the 76ers shifts the balance of power in the East. What that means for the Pacers' title hopes.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Taelon Peter got waived like an hour after we recorded this. Still, enjoyable discussion as always.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Tyrese Haliburton didn't get LeBron James to commit to a free agency destination on the Mind The Game podcast, but they did have some interesting discussions beyond that. On what they actually talked about: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

What Tyrese Haliburton and LeBron James actually talked about on Mind The Game

Tyrese Haliburton's appearance on LeBron James' podcast didn't break any news, but here's what the two Olympians actually talked about.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Had this one mostly written before Taelon Peter was waived, so had to alter this a little, but here's five things we learned about the Pacers (specifically their organizational depth) in Summer League: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Five things the Pacers learned in Summer League: Jalen Slawson, Braden Smith and more

The Pacers went 2-3 in Las Vegas at NBA Summer League without a player on a standard contract. What they learned about Jalen Slawson and others.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Story on the waiving of Taelon Peter and the competition for three two-way contracts that is now down to four men (Braden Smith, Ethan Thompson, Jalen Slawson and Kobe Brown) (It's probably just down to Thompson and Slawson): www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Pacers waive Taelon Peter, narrow two-way contract competition to four

The Pacers waived two-way contract guard Taelon Peter on Monday. Braden Smith, Ethan Thompson, Jalen Slawson and Kobe Brown remain in mix for 3 spots

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Realized I didn't put this out. On the Pacers' Summer League loss on Wednesday in which the whole Jalen Slawson Summer League Experience was on display: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Jalen Slawson scores 20, but Pacers lose third straight in Summer League

Jalen Slawson posted 20 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, but the Pacers suffered their worst loss in Summer League to fall to 1-3.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

T-Wolves up 62-51. Pacers 17 of 42 from the floor, 6 of 16 from 3, 6 of 8 at the line. T-Wolves 19 of 36, 4 of 12, 11 of 12. Slawson 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, four blocks, three turnovers. McGlothan 9 points. Isaiah Evans 10, Zyon Pullin 10, Trey Kaufman-Renn 10.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Tie ball game at 45 at halftime which is remarkable considering where this thing seemed to be going. Pacers 12 of 33 from the floor, 5 of 12 from 3, 8 of 12 at the line. Raptors 17 of 40, 3 of 13, 5 of 7. Mast 13 points, Slawson 10, Yuki 8. Lundy 11, Bradley 10.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Sixers close the half strong and the Pacers do not. Sixers up 59-45 at the break. Pacers 13 of 30 from the floor, 4 of 15 from 3, 8 of 11 at the line. Sixers 22 of 40, 5 of 15, 5 of 8. Jalen Slawson eight points. Johnni Broome 17, Matt Rogers 14, Labaron Philon 13 for Philly.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

76ers up 31-27 after one. Pacers 9 of 16 from the floor, 2 of 8 from 3, 4 of 6 at the line. 76ers 13 of 22, 3 of 9, 1 of 2. Slawson eight points. Matt Rogers 11 from the Sixers. Broome 9.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Three observations from that one. On the Braden Smith-Yuki Kawamura combination, Rienk Mast saving the day and Jalen Slawson being all over the place literally and figuratively: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

3 things that stood out from Pacers win in Summer League debut, led by unlikely hero

Rienk Mast posted a double-double, Jalen Slawson scored 15 points and the Pacers' dual point guards increased the pace as Indiana beat Cleveland.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

The Pacers begin their Summer League schedule today. You'll probably learn more about the Noblesville Boom's season than the Pacers, but still, here are five things to watch from Braden Smith to the two-way battle to Yukimania: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

5 reasons to watch the Indiana Pacers, team of competitors, in 2026 NBA Summer League

The Pacers head to Las Vegas without a player on a standard contract, but second-round pick Braden Smith is among the players and things to watch.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Story on Kobe Brown signing a two-way contract. Currently, Brown, Peter and Thompson are the players who hold the contracts, so that effectively sets up a five-way competition for three spots: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Pacers keep free agent forward Kobe Brown on two-way contract

Forward Kobe Brown finished his season strong after being acquired in February and he was rewarded with a two-way contract.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

On Taelon Peter, the only player back from last year's Pacers Summer League who also happens to be heading to Vegas fighting for his two-way contract: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Second-year Pacers guard using Summer League to lead even with roster spot not guaranteed

Taelon Peter is the only player on this year's Pacers' NBA Summer League roster who was also on last year's summer squad.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

On Keion Brooks Jr., what it means for the Fort Wayne native to be back in Indiana after moving around for much of his basketball career and how he can help himself with a strong showing for the Pacers in NBA Summer League: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Fort Wayne native 'taking a lot of pride' in playing for Pacers' organization

Fort Wayne's Keion Brooks Jr. feels at home after seven homes in eight years. He'll play for the Pacers in Summer League after a strong ending with the Boom.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

It's still possible for the Pacers to make some offseason moves, but there's a good chance Kelly Oubre is the big one. On how the Pacers' depth chart could look now with him in it: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

A look at the Pacers depth chart with Kelly Oubre Jr.

The Pacers added Kelly Oubre Jr. in free agency Wednesday and may not make another move. A look at the current depth chart.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Revised version of the Kelly Oubre story with more about where he might fit in, where it puts the Pacers in salary and what it means to be hard-capped at the first apron: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Pacers sign forward Kelly Oubre in NBA free agency; what it means

Kelly Oubre gives the Pacers the reserve wing they needed after signing in free agency

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

A free agency primer for the Pacers as the NBA calendar is set to flip over. Don't know who they're going to target at their key spots, so just went ahead and listed everybody: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

NBA free agency starts Tuesday, who could the Pacers target?

The Pacers will be limited in resources in free agency if they don't shed more salary, but there are still depth pieces they can add for cheap.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Meant to put this out earlier, but caught up with Braden Smith at Tyrese Haliburton's camp today. On his emotions getting to stay in Indiana as a pro and Haliburton's typically astute assessment of Smith's game: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Braden Smith comes home: Pacers rookie embraces the dream he grew up chasing

Days after being drafted by the Pacers, Westfield Braden Smith took part in Tyrese Haliburton's basketball camp in Carmel. Read what he said

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Dispatch from Carmel on the new and improved Tyrese Haliburton, now with two functional eyebrows, less illness-related weight retention and more muscle: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Tyrese Haliburton 'thankful' for eyebrows after miserable shingles bout

Tyrese Haliburton says his body feels 'great' after a battle with shingles added more difficulty to his Achilles tendon tear recovery.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Quick story on the Pacers' Summer League schedule which noticeably includes four afternoon games after the third straight draft in which they didn't make a first-round pick: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Pacers get four early games in NBA Summer League schedule

Without a marquee name on the roster, the Pacers will play all of their scheduled NBA Summer League games in the early afternoon.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Also, Buchanan said Tyrese Haliburton has made great progress in his Achilles tendon recovery, but notes that important that he give himself and the team give him grace when he returns, as he might not return to top form immediately: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Chad Buchanan: Pacers need grace, patience with Tyrese Haliburton in Achilles recovery

Pacers GM Chad Buchanan says Tyrese Haliburton is making strong progress in his return from an Achilles tendon tear, but asked for grace as he returns

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Other stuff from Chad Buchanan yesterday. He said the Pacers probably won't make an "earth-shattering, ground-breaking move" in free agency and will focus on prioritizing depth. Indicates no salary dump of Jarace Walker or Ben Sheppard: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Pacers GM Chad Buchanan shares team’s offseason strategy

Chad Buchanan said the Pacers will look to add to their depth in free agency, but probably won't make an ‘earth-shattering, ground-breaking move’

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Houston's Emanuel Sharp worked out for the Pacers nearly a month ago even though they didn't have a pick in this draft. If the Pacers trade back into the 2nd round of this week's draft in the 30s, he could be the kind of player they target: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Weeks after working out for pick‑less Pacers, Sharp may be target if they trade into draft

The Pacers are rumored to be looking to trade into the second round of the draft. Houston's Emanuel Sharp might be a good fit if they do.

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

So, new thing we're doing with free agency this year. Going to have a live file looking at transactions, the draft, etc. and how those might affect the Pacers. Started with some notes on the McCollum signing and Wiggins deal. Will be consistent updates: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

Indiana Pacers free agency targets, trade rumors and top targets

The Indiana Pacers don't have any draft picks but that doesn't mean they can't make moves this week. A look at the possibilities

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Dustin Dopirak @dustindopirak.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

The Pacers don't have a pick in this week's NBA Draft at the moment, but they do apparently have interest in trading back in and they will need to sign undrafted talent regardless. On how they could approach the draft: www.indystar.com/story/sports...

indystar.com

How the Pacers could still get involved in the 2026 NBA Draft

Thanks to trades, the Pacers don't currently hold a pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, but they could trade in and will sign undrafted free agents.

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