Dustin Dopirak
@dustindopirak.bsky.social
Pacers beat writer at the Indianapolis Star. Former shops: Bloomington Herald Times (2x), The Athletic, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Knoxville News Sentinel, Daily News Record (Harrisonburg, Va.), Daily Collegian - PSU.
Quick story on the Pacers signing Ethan Thompson to a two-way contract and waiving RayJ Dennis: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers sign Ethan Thompson to two-way contract, waive RayJ Dennis
The Pacers signed guard Ethan Thompson, who is averaging almost 27 points per game in the G League, to a two-way contract and waived RayJ Dennis.
www.indystar.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Quick story on the Pacers signing Ethan Thompson to a two-way contract and waiving RayJ Dennis: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
On Pascal Siakam, how the buzzer beater Brandon Ingram hit over him Wednesday motivated his own game-winner against the Bulls Saturday night and how the Pacers saw the moment as "so well-deserved.": www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers Pascal Siakam's labor rewarded with game-winner: 'So well-deserved'
Pascal Siakam has been the "ultimate professional" for the Pacers in a trying season, He was rewarded with a game-winning jumper to beat the Bulls.
www.indystar.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
On Pascal Siakam, how the buzzer beater Brandon Ingram hit over him Wednesday motivated his own game-winner against the Bulls Saturday night and how the Pacers saw the moment as "so well-deserved.": www.indystar.com/story/sports...
I can't think of a coach in any sport in my lifetime more likely to do exactly this than Lane Kiffin. I don't think it will happen, but if I had to pick one guy who would do it...
obviously you don't call a team meeting during a bye week to tell everybody you're staying but look there's always a 1% chance they give him the microphone and decides to Wolf of Wall Street it
This is the story that doesn't end ♫
It just goes on and on, my friend ♫
Some people started reporting it ♫
Not knowing what it was ♫
And they'll continue reporting it ♫
Forever just because ♫
It just goes on and on, my friend ♫
Some people started reporting it ♫
Not knowing what it was ♫
And they'll continue reporting it ♫
Forever just because ♫
November 30, 2025 at 5:54 AM
I can't think of a coach in any sport in my lifetime more likely to do exactly this than Lane Kiffin. I don't think it will happen, but if I had to pick one guy who would do it...
Gamer from tonight. Pascal Siakam's game-winner and lock-down defense down the stretch gives the Pacers consecutive wins for the first time in 2025-26: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pascal Siakam's fadeaway vs Bulls gives Pacers second straight win
The Pacers have won consecutive games for the first time this season with Saturday's 103-101 win vs Bulls
www.indystar.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Gamer from tonight. Pascal Siakam's game-winner and lock-down defense down the stretch gives the Pacers consecutive wins for the first time in 2025-26: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers have had a few buzzer beaters hit on them this year. This time they get one. Siakam's jumper gets the Pacers win No. 4, 103-101.
November 30, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Pacers have had a few buzzer beaters hit on them this year. This time they get one. Siakam's jumper gets the Pacers win No. 4, 103-101.
Bulls won the third 26-25. Pacers 10 of 19 from the floor, 1 of 6 from 3, 4 of 5 at the line, 1.03 per possession. Bulls 11 of 22, 3 of 5, 1 of 5, 1.12 per possession.
November 30, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Bulls won the third 26-25. Pacers 10 of 19 from the floor, 1 of 6 from 3, 4 of 5 at the line, 1.03 per possession. Bulls 11 of 22, 3 of 5, 1 of 5, 1.12 per possession.
18-18 on points in the paint. Pacers up 26-18 on the glass. Pacers up 9-4 on second-chance points. Bulls up 14-6 on fast-break points. Pacers nine turnovers to Bulls' seven. Bulls 10 points off turnovers, Pacers 7.
November 30, 2025 at 1:37 AM
18-18 on points in the paint. Pacers up 26-18 on the glass. Pacers up 9-4 on second-chance points. Bulls up 14-6 on fast-break points. Pacers nine turnovers to Bulls' seven. Bulls 10 points off turnovers, Pacers 7.
Pacers won 2Q 35-27. Pacers 13 of 25, 6 of 10 from 3, 3 of 4 at the line, 1.26 per possession. Bulls 8 of 20, 5 of 9, 6 of 7, 1.00 per possession.
November 30, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Pacers won 2Q 35-27. Pacers 13 of 25, 6 of 10 from 3, 3 of 4 at the line, 1.26 per possession. Bulls 8 of 20, 5 of 9, 6 of 7, 1.00 per possession.
Pacers up 61-54 at halftime. Pacers 23 of 47 from the floor, 12 of 25 from 3, 3 of 4 at the line, 1.16 points per possession. Bulls 19 of 44, 10 of 20, 6 of 7, 1.06 per possession. Jay Huff 14 points, Siakam 12, Mathurin 11, Giddey 12, Vucevic 10.
November 30, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Pacers up 61-54 at halftime. Pacers 23 of 47 from the floor, 12 of 25 from 3, 3 of 4 at the line, 1.16 points per possession. Bulls 19 of 44, 10 of 20, 6 of 7, 1.06 per possession. Jay Huff 14 points, Siakam 12, Mathurin 11, Giddey 12, Vucevic 10.
Bulls up 27-26 at the end of one. Pacers 10 of 22 from the floor, 6 of 15 from 3, no FTs. 1.04 per possession. Bulls 11 of 25, 5 of 12, no FTs 1.12 per possession. Jay Huff 14 of the Pacers' 26 points. He's 5 of 6 from the floor, 4 of 5 from 3.
November 30, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Bulls up 27-26 at the end of one. Pacers 10 of 22 from the floor, 6 of 15 from 3, no FTs. 1.04 per possession. Bulls 11 of 25, 5 of 12, no FTs 1.12 per possession. Jay Huff 14 of the Pacers' 26 points. He's 5 of 6 from the floor, 4 of 5 from 3.
Pacers starters: Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, Jay Huff. Bulls: Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, Matas Buzelis, Nikola Vucevic.
November 30, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Pacers starters: Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, Jay Huff. Bulls: Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, Matas Buzelis, Nikola Vucevic.
Andrew Nembhard is back in tonight: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers' Andrew Nembhard (quad) returns to play vs. Bulls
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard will play in Saturday's game against the Bulls after missing Friday's game with a quad contusion.
www.indystar.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Andrew Nembhard is back in tonight: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Quick story on Johnny Furphy being assigned to the Boom, which suggests he is not far from being assigned to the Pacers: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Johnny Furphy assigned to Noblesville Boom, likely close to injury return
Pacers forward Johnny Furphy was assigned to the Noblesville Boom on Saturday, suggesting he could be close to a return from an ankle sprain.
www.indystar.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Quick story on Johnny Furphy being assigned to the Boom, which suggests he is not far from being assigned to the Pacers: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pascal Siakam "decided we were not going to lose this game" on Friday night according to Rick Carlisle and made sure the Pacers hammered last-place Washington for win No. 3. On the importance of the All-Star refusing to give up on a star-crossed season: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pascal Siakam not giving up on Pacers' season: ‘We were not going to lose this game’
Pascal Siakam's 24-point, 11-rebound effort Friday carried the Pacers to their third win in a star-crossed 2025-26 season.
www.indystar.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Pascal Siakam "decided we were not going to lose this game" on Friday night according to Rick Carlisle and made sure the Pacers hammered last-place Washington for win No. 3. On the importance of the All-Star refusing to give up on a star-crossed season: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Video from this one. Interviews with Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, Jay Huff and Rick Carlisle: www.indystar.com/videos/sport...
Video: Pacers discuss win over Wizards
Pascal Siakam posted 24 points and 11 rebounds and the Pacers beat the Wizards 119-86 in an NBA Cup group play game on Friday night.
www.indystar.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Video from this one. Interviews with Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, Jay Huff and Rick Carlisle: www.indystar.com/videos/sport...
Gamer from tonight. Pacers win 119-86: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers beat Wizards in matchup of NBA's two worst teams
The Pacers improved to 3-16 behind the sublime play of Pascal Siakam in 119-86 win over woeful Wizards
www.indystar.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Gamer from tonight. Pacers win 119-86: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers won the third 30-21. Pacers 12 of 20 from the floor, 3 of 6 from 3, 3 of 3 at the line, 1.10 per possession. Wizards 8 of 21, 2 of 9, 3 of 4, 0.82 per possession
November 29, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Pacers won the third 30-21. Pacers 12 of 20 from the floor, 3 of 6 from 3, 3 of 3 at the line, 1.10 per possession. Wizards 8 of 21, 2 of 9, 3 of 4, 0.82 per possession
Pacers up 34-22 in the paint. Pacers up 25-24 on the glass. Wizards up 6-5 on second-chance. Pacers up 11-1 on fast-breaks. Pacers six TOs. Wizards nine. Pacers up 11-4 on points off TO's.
November 29, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Pacers up 34-22 in the paint. Pacers up 25-24 on the glass. Wizards up 6-5 on second-chance. Pacers up 11-1 on fast-breaks. Pacers six TOs. Wizards nine. Pacers up 11-4 on points off TO's.
Second quarter stats. Pacers won 34-28. Pacers 15 of 25 from the floor, 3 of 9 from 3, 1 of 1 at the line, 1.34 per possession. Wizards 11 of 24, 2 of 8, 4 of 4, 1.09 per possession. Siakam 14 points on 7 of 9 shooting.
November 29, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Second quarter stats. Pacers won 34-28. Pacers 15 of 25 from the floor, 3 of 9 from 3, 1 of 1 at the line, 1.34 per possession. Wizards 11 of 24, 2 of 8, 4 of 4, 1.09 per possession. Siakam 14 points on 7 of 9 shooting.
Pacers up 64-52 at the break. Pacers 27 of 51 from the floor, 7 of 21 from 3, 3 of 5 at the line, 1.20 per possession. Wizards 19 of 44, 5 of 17, 9 of 14, 1.00 per possession.
November 29, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Pacers up 64-52 at the break. Pacers 27 of 51 from the floor, 7 of 21 from 3, 3 of 5 at the line, 1.20 per possession. Wizards 19 of 44, 5 of 17, 9 of 14, 1.00 per possession.
Pacers up 30-24 at the end of one. Pacers 12 of 25 from the floor, 4 of 11 from 3, 2 of 4 at the line, 1.08 per possession. Wizards 8 of 21, 3 of 9, 5 of 10, 0.91 per possession.
November 29, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Pacers up 30-24 at the end of one. Pacers 12 of 25 from the floor, 4 of 11 from 3, 2 of 4 at the line, 1.08 per possession. Wizards 8 of 21, 3 of 9, 5 of 10, 0.91 per possession.
Andrew Nembhard is out for Friday night's game against Washington: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers get bad news on the injury report about Andrew Nembhard
Pacers get bad news on the injury report about Andrew Nembhard vs Wizards
www.indystar.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Andrew Nembhard is out for Friday night's game against Washington: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Gamer from tonight. On the good start, the mid-game collapse, the resurgence, and then the Ingram last-second shot. Also on McConnell and Mathurin: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Brandon Ingram kills Pacers' furious come back as Indiana falls to 2-16
The Pacers rallied back from a 13-point third-quarter deficit but Brandon Ingram's jumper with 0.6 seconds to go stopped their rally.
www.indystar.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Gamer from tonight. On the good start, the mid-game collapse, the resurgence, and then the Ingram last-second shot. Also on McConnell and Mathurin: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Ingram drills a jumper with 0.6 seconds to go. Mathurin misses a 3 that may or may not have gotten off before the buzzer. Raptors win it 97-95. Pacers fall to 2-16.
November 27, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Ingram drills a jumper with 0.6 seconds to go. Mathurin misses a 3 that may or may not have gotten off before the buzzer. Raptors win it 97-95. Pacers fall to 2-16.
Raptors 30 points in the paint with 18 of those coming in the second quarter. Pacers 18 with 10 coming in the second quarter. Raptors up 23-21 on the glass, 7-4 on second-chance, 7-4 on fast-break points. Pacers 12 turnovers to Raptors 8. 8 points of TOs each.
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Raptors 30 points in the paint with 18 of those coming in the second quarter. Pacers 18 with 10 coming in the second quarter. Raptors up 23-21 on the glass, 7-4 on second-chance, 7-4 on fast-break points. Pacers 12 turnovers to Raptors 8. 8 points of TOs each.