Pascal Siakam secured the Eastern Conference Finals MVP Award for his impressive performance in the series with the New York Knicks.
The Indiana Pacers players averaged 24.8 points with 52.4% shooting, accounting for 50% of the three-pointers.
Pascal Siakam also added 31 points and showed up to the team in the close-out game, leading the scorers to help the Pacers get a 125-108 victory.
Tyrese Haliburton was also a nominee for the Conference Finals MVP Award, as he won four of the nine votes on the clutch display of the series.
After winning the conference final, Halliburton was the EC and shared a thank you to his teammates.
Siakam and Haliburton both deserved to be winners of Larry Bird Trophy, but former NBA player Dwight Howard believes Siakam has played a leadership role since his arrival to change the fate of his team.
Siakam traded with the Pacers last year as part of a three-team deal, making an immediate impact by becoming a key part of the party that reached the conference final.
He signed a four-year contract with the team in the 2024 offseason, continuing to help the team reach new heights.
Appearing on the Night Cap Show with Shannon Sharp and Chad Johnson, Howard discussed the Pacers’ Eastern Conference victory and revealed how Siakam showed his championship experience by leading the way from the frontline.
“He was here before and knows exactly what it takes to win.
“He has that experience, he has that championship pedigree. This is why he came from Toronto and was so sought after. I was saying before we got on, he went there and ‘Listen, I’m now, I’m now, I’m time’,” Howard said.
After winning the championship, Siakam moved to the Pacers and later became a star of the Toronto Raptors team.
His pairing with Halliburton will always be special, but with Siakam on the roster it made it very easy for everyone else on the team too.
Although Halliburton plays like a team star, Siakam showed off his leadership in his comments after a Game 5 loss.
The 31-year-old averages 21 points throughout the playoffs, effectively filming 53.7% off the field.
What has improved for the Cameroonians is his three-point shooting as he scored 46.3% over the Ark.
The Pacers’ next Test is against the OKC Thunder, who has one of the best defensive units in the league.
Siakam is key to the Pacers’ chances. They need him to contribute to the points and contain his championship experience to the young Thunderside.