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Just four months after coming within one win of claiming the NBA championship, the Indiana Pacers are off to a 0-3 start this season. When one considers how short-handed they are, it may not be that big a surprise. Tyrese Haliburton, their best player and the engine of their fast-breaking offense, tore his Achilles in Game 7 of June’s NBA Finals and is presumed to be out for all of this season. But on top of that, backup point guard T.J. McConnell is yet to play this season due to a hamstring ailment, and Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin are also hurt. On Monday, the Pacers reportedly made the decision to sign Mac McClung, a guard who is best known for becoming the first man to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest three times in a row. “The Indiana Pacers are signing guard Mac McClung to a multiyear contract, Greg Lawrence of Wasserman told ESPN on Monday,” wrote Shams Charania. “The deal marks the first standard NBA contract for McClung after the dunk contest’s first three-peat champion spent time in camp and on two-way deals since 2021. McClung, who most recently spent time with the Orlando Magic, has appeared in six games in the NBA. “The Pacers plan to waive former No. 2 pick James Wiseman to create roster space for McClung, who will sign a non-guaranteed multiyear deal, sources said.” Read more: Kevin Durant Gets Honest After Rockets’ 0-2 Start McClung has appeared in only six games in the NBA thus far. He played college basketball at Georgetown University and Texas Tech University, and in three total seasons in the NCAA, he had averages of 14.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game. While he has a total of 33 points in six NBA games, he has been something of a star in the G League. Last season, he averaged 25.7 points on 51% field-goal shooting and 37.8% from 3-point range and 5.7 assists a game with the Osceola Magic, and he won the league MVP the previous season with averages of 25.7 points and 6.6 assists per game. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 15: Mac McClung #8 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball during the 2025 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest as part of the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Chase Center on February 15, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) Last season, Indiana was known for its high-octane, up-tempo offense, but so far this season, that offense has been grounded. It currently ranks 28th in offensive rating even though it is sixth in fast-break points per game, and its defense hasn’t exactly picked up the slack. Read more: Carmelo Anthony Doesn’t Hold Back in Prediction for Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama On a brighter note, forward Pascal Siakam is off to a relatively hot start. He had 32 points in the Pacers’ season opener to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and on Sunday, he registered 33 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and three steals in a 114-110 loss. For more on the Pacers and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
