Siakam Sees Playing Style As Difference Between Pacers And 2019 Champion Raptors

Pascal Siakam sees playing style as a key difference between the 2025 Indiana Pacers and the 2019 NBA champion Toronto Raptors.

Speaking to TNT’s Inside The NBA after the Pacers took a 3-1 series lead against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Siakam was asked about the similarities between his current team and the one he won a championship with in 2019.

“What’s different, a little bit, from the team that we had [in Toronto] is this is a team, it’s a team effort,” Siakam said. “Every night, you’ve got different guys that are gonna step up. We go 12 or 13, no matter what, we’ve got guys ready to step in. That makes it a little bit different but, at the end of the day, I just like our spirit, how resilient we are.

“It’s one of the things we had out there in Toronto also.”

Siakam is averaging 25.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a steal in the East Finals. He is shooting 54.1 percent from the field and has knocked down half of his 12 three-point attempts.

Beyond how Indiana has been playing on the court, Siakam also sees similarities between how invested the Pacers fan base has been in this run and Raptors fans during their run.

“The fans, I in Toronto how ionate they were about our team and the things we were able to do, it’s the same thing here,” Siakam said. “Pacer nation, they go so crazy and the ’s just been amazing. The organization to the fans, everyone has just been awesome.”

Game 5 between the Pacers and Knicks will be Thursday in New York at 8:00 p.m. EST.

How Different Is Pacers’ Depth From Raptors?

The biggest difference immediately standing out between the two teams is the Raptors had a Tier 1 superstar in Kawhi Leonard around whom the offense revolved. There was a very clear hierarchy.

That’s not the case with the Pacers. Haliburton is certainly underrated but he’s not in the same class as peak Leonard. By not having that clear No. 1, Indiana takes a more collaborative approach where the offense flows organically. One night it could be Haliburton, another it could be Siakam, or on another it could be Aaron Nesmith, like we saw in Game 1.

Toronto arguably had more talent top to bottom and the rotation ran about eight deep (nine if OG Anunoby was healthy). Ten players featured for the Pacers in Game 4 and they all saw double-digit minutes.

The Raptors had nights where any of Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Danny Green or Norman Powell could supplement what Leonard was doing in of scoring. This is the key difference Siakam is highlighting, though; the Pacers don’t have a defined No. 1 option.

Charles Barkley even pressed Siakam about how he should have more plays run for him. He stayed true to Indiana’s identity, though.

“That’s not who we are, man,” Siakam said with a laugh. “At the end of the day, the team knows, the coach knows, that’s the identity that we’ve had since I’ve been here. One of the reasons I love playing here is — at the end of the day — it’s all about the team. I’m always gonna fit in. I told them, ‘I’m here, whenever you need me, I’m always ready’ but it’s all about team for us.”

Siakam Leadership Has Contributed To Pacers Run

Siakam’s playoff experience has been vital, particularly given his run to an NBA title in 2019.

He has now played 84 playoff games. Among those in Indiana’s rotation, Myles Turner is the closest at 57, followed by T.J. McConnell at 53. Aaron Nesmith has played 51 playoff games. Tyrese Haliburton has played in 29 playoff games. Siakam has now won 10 playoff series in his career, including four since ing the Pacers.

It all adds up to vital moments he can share with his teammates, and to their credit, Siakam appreciates their willingness to absorb.

“The reception that I’ve had and the guys listening to me, my leadership and they’re just willing to receive it,” Siakam said. “It’s been such a blessing and I’m just happy to help. As you said, I have the experience and they can always lean on me for that.”

Siakam has certainly acclimated to life in Indiana very well. Now, he sits one win away from being back in the NBA Finals.