Pascal Siakam made sure New Mexico State had something to celebrate in the NBA's opening week, delivering a defining performance as the Indiana Pacers edged the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120 on Wednesday night.
The NMSU product was the engine of Indiana's offense, finishing with 30 points — 12 of them in the fourth quarter when it mattered most — along with 8 rebounds, a steal, and a plus-minus of +6 across 35 minutes. It was the kind of closing-time performance that reminds the league why the Pacers made Siakam a cornerstone.
The game itself had a charged atmosphere beyond the box score. Tyrese Haliburton returned to the floor for the first time in 16 months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon, posting 23 points and 12 assists in his season debut. Siakam and Haliburton feeding off each other again was the story Indiana fans had been waiting for — and the Pacers made it count.
Tougher Test Two Days Later
The early-season honeymoon had a short shelf life. On Friday, the Pacers fell to the Dallas Mavericks 105-121, with Siakam finishing with 23 points in 28 minutes but posting a -4 plus-minus as Indiana struggled to generate the same offensive rhythm. Still, back-to-back games in 48 hours is a grind, and Siakam's 23-and-3 line in a loss isn't a cause for alarm — it's a data point.
Through two games, the former Raptors star is averaging 26.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, looking every bit the All-NBA caliber power forward who arrived in Indiana before last season.
The Bigger Picture for Aggie Fans
No notable box-score appearances from fellow NMSU alumni Trevelin Queen (Magic) or Sir'Jabari Rice (Spurs) surfaced during this stretch, making Siakam the unambiguous headliner for the Aggies faithful this week.
For New Mexico State supporters keeping tabs on the league, Siakam's opening week is an encouraging sign — he's not just a number-two option riding Haliburton's coattails. When the moment called for a closer in Game 1, the Aggies alum answered. Twelve fourth-quarter points in a three-point win has a way of setting a tone.
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