Pascal Siakam hopes to win the NBA Championship for a second time after a previous victory with the Toronto Raptors.
In 2019, reaching the NBA Finals was a success for the Toronto Raptors. And they went and beat the favourites and ended their three-peat dream of the Golden State Warriors.
Pascal Siakam is one of the heroes of the Toronto Raptors title-winning team and remained there until early 2024 traded.
Currently, Siakam is back in the NBA Finals in his first full season with the Indiana Pacers. His team is currently 2-2 in the series with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Pascal Siakam’s experience in the finals has benefited him and his Pacers teammates up until now.
Teammate Obi Toppin praised Siakam for his behind-the-scenes influence.
Speaking with reporters ahead of Game 5, Siakam talked about the differences he felt in 2025 compared to his first final in 2019.
Siakam said: “I wasn’t a leader at the time. On the floor, I was one of those people who let things happen for us. But from the court, I was in my third year.
“Our team had veterans that were farther way from what you could imagine as players. I was grateful to be around them and leaning on their confidence and the way they played to help them play my game and get free.
“This time I think I’m one of the only people there or one of the few people there that I’m nine or ten years old, etc.
I have years of experience under my belt, but I can say what I think. ”
Pascal Siakam is happy to be a leader, but he doesn’t want to direct others on the team or become an overwhelming presence. He says he wants the pacer players to be autonomous and learn in their own way.
He added: “At the same time, I always say that everyone has to get through it on their own.
“I can tell you anything, but you have to go through it yourself. I think the most (important) thing is to do what I got us here in the first place, and we can’t change it now.”
The Pacers were leading the Series 2-1 and leading Game 4, but OKC took them with an impressive comeback that tied it together.
Currently, OKC has regained its initiative and hosts two of the remaining three games. That means Indiana will need to win on the road to win the title.