Dustin Dopirak
@dustindopirak.bsky.social
2.7K followers 130 following 580 posts
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.
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dustindopirak.bsky.social
Halftime: Spurs up 69-66. Pacers 24 of 45 from the floor, 13 of 29 for 3, 5 of 7 at the line, 1.20 per possession. Spurs 26 of 43, 8 of 14, 9 of 13, 1.20 per possession. Mathurin 27 points, (9 of 9, 4 of 4, 5 of 5). Siakam 12, Nesmith 9. Wemby 19, Castle 13, Champagnie 12.
dustindopirak.bsky.social
Spurs up 34-30 at the end of one. Pacers 10 of 23 from the floor, 7 of 17 from 3, 1.06 points per possession. Spurs 14 of 23, 4 of 7, 2 of 3, 1.09 per possession. Mathurin 14 points, Wembanyama 10.
dustindopirak.bsky.social
Halftime at Gainbridge: Pacers up 62-58. Pacers 21 of 46 from the floor, 6 of 26 from 3, 14 of 18 at the line, 1.09 per possession. Thunder 18 of 41, 7 of 17, 15 of 17. 1.08 per possession. Mathurin 16. Toppin and Q. Jackson 14 each.
dustindopirak.bsky.social
With Tyrese Haliburton creating shots for himself and others, the rest of the Pacers got tons of open catch-and-shoot 3s and didn't have to do much shooting off the dribble. With him out, the others may have to look to shoot more off-the-bounce 3s: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
How Pacers can make up for loss of Tyrese Haliburton's and Myles Turner's 3-point shooting
Tyrese Haliburton accounted for more than half the 3s the Pacers hit off the dribble last season. Others might have to pickup that slack.
www.indystar.com
dustindopirak.bsky.social
Definitely used to the NBA journeyman lifestyle. Knows this is a good opportunity to fall into for sure. Seems like a good dude. (And we the media are happy about it because we lose a good quote in TJ for a month so we get one back)
dustindopirak.bsky.social
Cam Payne was about ready to pack up and head back from New York to his permanent home in Phoenix when he got a call from his agent Wednesday saying the Pacers needed a point guard. Within six hours he was on a plane to Indiana: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Cameron Payne battling for Pacers' backup point guard job after whirlwind 24 hours
Cameron Payne got a call Wednesday saying the Pacers needed a point guard and took a plane to Indiana almost immediately.
www.indystar.com
dustindopirak.bsky.social
Been lazy over here so I apologize, but a story I enjoyed doing on Isaiah Jackson being able to finally gain weight for the first time thanks to his Achilles tear keeping him off the floor. He gained too much but melted off the fat and he's stronger than ever: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
From Caniac Combos to gluten free, how Isaiah Jackson returned from Achilles injury with more muscle
Isaiah Jackson always struggled to put on weight, but his Achilles tendon tear finally put him in a place where he could bulk up.
www.indystar.com
Reposted by Dustin Dopirak
Reposted by Dustin Dopirak
danielle-lerner.bsky.social
Absolutely devastating injury for Haliburton, who was in a lose-lose situation that I’ve seen some people on here address. Play hurt and risk further injury or getting blamed for a poor performance. Don’t play and get called selfish, get blamed if your team loses without you.
dustindopirak.bsky.social
Second quarter, Pacers won 26-22. Pacers 8 of 17, 4 of 8 from 3, 6 of 10 at the line, 1.02 per possession. Thunder 7 of 22, 2 of 13, 6 of 9, 0.82 per possession.
dustindopirak.bsky.social
Pacers up 48-47 at the break. Pacers 16 of 38 from the floor, 8 of 16 from 3, 8 of 13 at the line, 0.99 per possession. Thunder 17 of 42, 4 of 18, 9 of 13, 0.96 per possession. Siakam 10 points. Haliburton (prior to injury) 9, Nembhard 9, Mathurin 8. SGA 16.
dustindopirak.bsky.social
There were times on Thursday night when it was clear Tyrese Haliburton was dealing with a calf strain, but there were enough when it wasn't -- including the sublime steal and no-look for the Pascal Siakam dunk -- to force a Game 7: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Tyrese Haliburton grits through calf strain to will Pacers to NBA Finals Game 7
Tyrese Haliburton was limited by a calf strain but still posted 14 points and five assists to help the Pacers blow out the Thunder in Game 6.
www.indystar.com
dustindopirak.bsky.social
Pacers won the third 26-18. Pacers 8 of 20 from the floor, 5 of 11 from 3, 5 of 6 at the line, 1.10 per possession. Thunder 4 of 17, 2 of 9, 8 of 8, 0.73 per possession. Pacers defense in this one is incredible.