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.
Pascal Siakam's message to Jarace Walker has been to keep his game simple, to play with force and not waste motion or dribbles. Walker's 21-point performance on 8 of 10 shooting on Monday was the sign of a breakthrough, even in defeat: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Did Pacers lottery pick Jarace Walker have breakthrough game vs Pistons?
Jarace Walker has had a brutal start to the season, but he scored 21 points on 8 of 10 shooting Monday by playing with force and making simple reads.
www.indystar.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Pascal Siakam's message to Jarace Walker has been to keep his game simple, to play with force and not waste motion or dribbles. Walker's 21-point performance on 8 of 10 shooting on Monday was the sign of a breakthrough, even in defeat: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Reposted by Dustin Dopirak
College football has long penciled Indiana in for a spot in the Big Ten title game, but Curt Cignetti refuses to overlook Purdue.
History is on his side. Insider: www.indystar.com/story/sports... #iufb
History is on his side. Insider: www.indystar.com/story/sports... #iufb
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti refuses to look past Purdue, and its justified
The Hoosiers have been down this road before, a promising season and a possible Heisman going into West Lafayette. Curt Cignetti is focused on different story in 2025.
www.indystar.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:38 PM
College football has long penciled Indiana in for a spot in the Big Ten title game, but Curt Cignetti refuses to overlook Purdue.
History is on his side. Insider: www.indystar.com/story/sports... #iufb
History is on his side. Insider: www.indystar.com/story/sports... #iufb
Gamer from tonight. On a desperately needed performance from Jarace Walker, a big step in T.J. McConnell getting back to being himself, a comeback from a 19-point deficit, but also a 15th defeat in 17 games: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers get positive performances from Walker, McConnell ... but lose
Jarace Walker turned in his best performance of the season and T.J. McConnell is getting healthier but the Pacers still lose to East-leading Pistons
www.indystar.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Gamer from tonight. On a desperately needed performance from Jarace Walker, a big step in T.J. McConnell getting back to being himself, a comeback from a 19-point deficit, but also a 15th defeat in 17 games: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
The best part about this is Peyton Watson knows exactly where he's supposed to be and is not one bit surprised when the ball gets there.
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 AM
The best part about this is Peyton Watson knows exactly where he's supposed to be and is not one bit surprised when the ball gets there.
LeVert hits both. Walker airballs a 3. That's gonna do it. Pacers with a whale of a comeback, but they lose 122-117 to the Pistons.
November 25, 2025 at 2:44 AM
LeVert hits both. Walker airballs a 3. That's gonna do it. Pacers with a whale of a comeback, but they lose 122-117 to the Pistons.
End of the third. Pistons up 101-88. Pacers won the third 33-30. Pacers 9 of 18 from the floor, 3 of 8 from 3, 12 of 15 at the line, 1.24 per possession. Pistons 11 of 28, 2 of 8, 6 of 8, 1.13 per possession. Some good fight from the Pacers but they only cut 3 points off.
November 25, 2025 at 2:07 AM
End of the third. Pistons up 101-88. Pacers won the third 33-30. Pacers 9 of 18 from the floor, 3 of 8 from 3, 12 of 15 at the line, 1.24 per possession. Pistons 11 of 28, 2 of 8, 6 of 8, 1.13 per possession. Some good fight from the Pacers but they only cut 3 points off.
Pistons won the second quarter 36-23. Pacers 6 of 18 from the floor, 4 of 8 from 3, 7 of 10 from the line, 0.91 per possession. Pistons 10 of 19, 2 of 6, 14 of 16, 1.38 per possession.
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Pistons won the second quarter 36-23. Pacers 6 of 18 from the floor, 4 of 8 from 3, 7 of 10 from the line, 0.91 per possession. Pistons 10 of 19, 2 of 6, 14 of 16, 1.38 per possession.
Halftime: Pistons up 71-55. Pacers 19 of 43 from the floor, 7 of 14 from 3, 10 of 14 at the line, 1.05 per possession. Pistons 24 of 41, 7 of 14, 16 of 18, 1.34 per possession. Siakam 11 points, Mathurin 9. Thompson 11 points, Robinson 9.
November 25, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Halftime: Pistons up 71-55. Pacers 19 of 43 from the floor, 7 of 14 from 3, 10 of 14 at the line, 1.05 per possession. Pistons 24 of 41, 7 of 14, 16 of 18, 1.34 per possession. Siakam 11 points, Mathurin 9. Thompson 11 points, Robinson 9.
Pistons up 35-32 at the end of 1. Pacers 13 of 25 from the floor, 3 of 6 from 3, 3 of 4 at the line. 1.20 per possession. Pistons 14 of 22, 5 of 8, 2 of 2, 1.30 per possession. Siakam 7. Ivey 7.
November 25, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Pistons up 35-32 at the end of 1. Pacers 13 of 25 from the floor, 3 of 6 from 3, 3 of 4 at the line. 1.20 per possession. Pistons 14 of 22, 5 of 8, 2 of 2, 1.30 per possession. Siakam 7. Ivey 7.
For your pre-game reading. Quick injury update from pre-game on Quenton Jackson, Johnny Furphy and Kam Jones: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers' Rick Carlisle updates status of Johnny Furphy, Quenton Jackson
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle hopes Johnny Furphy and Quenton Jackson will return from injury within a few weeks. He also updated Kam Jones' status.
www.indystar.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:05 AM
For your pre-game reading. Quick injury update from pre-game on Quenton Jackson, Johnny Furphy and Kam Jones: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
The Pacers' loss to the Cavs on Friday night was one that gave them a sense of the team they might be for a while. Their key returning players -- Siakam, Nembhard, Mathurin, McConnell -- combined for 89 of their 109 points and 31 of their 37 field goals. www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Talent returns for Pacers but loss to Cavs shows margin for error remains tight
Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell combined to score 89 of the Pacers' 109 points in Friday's loss.
www.indystar.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The Pacers' loss to the Cavs on Friday night was one that gave them a sense of the team they might be for a while. Their key returning players -- Siakam, Nembhard, Mathurin, McConnell -- combined for 89 of their 109 points and 31 of their 37 field goals. www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Video from tonight: Interviews with Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin and Rick Carlisle: www.indystar.com/videos/sport...
Video: Pacers discuss loss to Cavaliers
The Pacers fell 120-109 to the Cavaliers on Friday night to fall to 2-14 on the season and 0-2 in NBA Cup play.
www.indystar.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Video from tonight: Interviews with Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin and Rick Carlisle: www.indystar.com/videos/sport...
The gamer from tonight. Andrew Nembhard scored 32 points. Pascal Siakam had 26, Bennedict Mathurin 21, T.J. McConnell 10. Everybody else, not much: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Andrew Nembhard scores 32 for Pacers in NBA Cup loss to Cavaliers
The Pacers' starters are returning and playing better but there's still not enough of them. Cavs win 120-109 in NBA Cup game
www.indystar.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:46 AM
The gamer from tonight. Andrew Nembhard scored 32 points. Pascal Siakam had 26, Bennedict Mathurin 21, T.J. McConnell 10. Everybody else, not much: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Ball game. Cavs win 120-109. Pacers fall to 2-14 overall, 0-2 in NBA Cup play.
November 22, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Ball game. Cavs win 120-109. Pacers fall to 2-14 overall, 0-2 in NBA Cup play.
Cavs up 100-81 heading into the fourth. They won the third 38-26. Pacers were 8 of 23 from the floor, 0 of 5 from 3, 10 of 11 at the line, 1.01 per possession. Cavs 15 of 26, 4 of 12, 4 of 6, 1.48 per possession.
November 22, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Cavs up 100-81 heading into the fourth. They won the third 38-26. Pacers were 8 of 23 from the floor, 0 of 5 from 3, 10 of 11 at the line, 1.01 per possession. Cavs 15 of 26, 4 of 12, 4 of 6, 1.48 per possession.
Cavs up 28-18 on points in the paint. Teams are even 24-24 on the glass. Pacers up 4-2 on second-chance points. Cavs up 7-4 on fast-break points. Pacers 7 turnovers to Cavs' 5. Cavs 9 points off turnovers to Pacers' four.
November 22, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Cavs up 28-18 on points in the paint. Teams are even 24-24 on the glass. Pacers up 4-2 on second-chance points. Cavs up 7-4 on fast-break points. Pacers 7 turnovers to Cavs' 5. Cavs 9 points off turnovers to Pacers' four.
Cavs won the second quarter 29-24. Pacers 9 of 24, 2 of 12 from 3, 4 of 4 at the line, 0.86 per possession. Cavs 9 of 20, 2 of 5, 9 of 10, 1.14 per possession.
November 22, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Cavs won the second quarter 29-24. Pacers 9 of 24, 2 of 12 from 3, 4 of 4 at the line, 0.86 per possession. Cavs 9 of 20, 2 of 5, 9 of 10, 1.14 per possession.
Cavs up 62-55 at half. Pacers 19 of 45 from the floor, 7 of 22 from 3, 10 of 10 at the line, 1.03 per possession. Cavs 20 of 42, 5 of 16, 17 of 21, 1.19 per possession. Siakam 16 points, Mathurin and Nembhard 14 each. Rest of team 11 points. Garland 18 points, Mitchell, Mobley 12 each
November 22, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Cavs up 62-55 at half. Pacers 19 of 45 from the floor, 7 of 22 from 3, 10 of 10 at the line, 1.03 per possession. Cavs 20 of 42, 5 of 16, 17 of 21, 1.19 per possession. Siakam 16 points, Mathurin and Nembhard 14 each. Rest of team 11 points. Garland 18 points, Mitchell, Mobley 12 each
Cavs up 33-31 after one. Pacers 10 of 22 from the floor, 5 of 11 from 3, 1.21 points per possession. Cavs 11 of 22, 3 of 11, 8 of 11, 1.23 per possession. Nembhard 12 points, Siakam 8 points, Mobley 12 points,
November 22, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Cavs up 33-31 after one. Pacers 10 of 22 from the floor, 5 of 11 from 3, 1.21 points per possession. Cavs 11 of 22, 3 of 11, 8 of 11, 1.23 per possession. Nembhard 12 points, Siakam 8 points, Mobley 12 points,
Quick introductory story on Garrison Mathews and his necessary 3-point shooting: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Meet the 3-point shooter the Pacers desperately need: Garrison Mathews
Garrison Mathews has hit 51.6% of his 3-pointers vs. the Pacers, his best mark against any team.
www.indystar.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Quick introductory story on Garrison Mathews and his necessary 3-point shooting: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
After signing Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to a standard, non-guaranteed contract the Pacers do expect to have a hardship exception available and they plan to use that to sign Garrison Mathews: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers sign needed sharpshooter to 10-day hardship contract
The Pacers signed 3-point shooter Garrison Mathews to a 10-day hardship contract after converting Jeremiah Robinson-Earl's deal to a standard contract.
www.indystar.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
After signing Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to a standard, non-guaranteed contract the Pacers do expect to have a hardship exception available and they plan to use that to sign Garrison Mathews: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Last night was one of the first nights all season when the Pacers got everything to go right. Jay Huff was dominant, Ben Sheppard was effective, and the Pacers shot better than they have all year. Bennedict Mathurin's chase-down kinda-block made sure that stood up: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Bennedict Maturin's chase down preserves Pacers' best game of season: 'Big-time winning play'
The Pacers got big performances across the board on Wednesday but it might not have stood up if Bennedict Mathurin had given up on a turnover.
www.indystar.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Last night was one of the first nights all season when the Pacers got everything to go right. Jay Huff was dominant, Ben Sheppard was effective, and the Pacers shot better than they have all year. Bennedict Mathurin's chase-down kinda-block made sure that stood up: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Story on Jeremiah Robinson-Earl being signed to a standard, non-guaranteed contract and Monte Morris being waived: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Pacers not ready to lose young forward yet, sign him to 2-year deal and waive veteran guard
With his second 10-day contract set to expire, the Pacers signed Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to a standard contract. Here's why he was the best fit.
www.indystar.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Story on Jeremiah Robinson-Earl being signed to a standard, non-guaranteed contract and Monte Morris being waived: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
The gamer from tonight. Bennedict Mathurin kept cooking, Jay Huff hit four big 3s and scored 20 points, Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker got it together for an evening and the Pacers shot better than they have all year: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
November 20, 2025 at 3:21 AM
The gamer from tonight. Bennedict Mathurin kept cooking, Jay Huff hit four big 3s and scored 20 points, Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker got it together for an evening and the Pacers shot better than they have all year: www.indystar.com/story/sports...
That's gonna do it. Pacers win 127-118, snapping an eight-game losing streak to improve to 2-13.
November 20, 2025 at 2:23 AM
That's gonna do it. Pacers win 127-118, snapping an eight-game losing streak to improve to 2-13.