Siakam makes debut at Gainbridge, Pacers fall to Nuggets 114-109

More than 16,000 Fans assembled at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Downtown Indianapolis Jan. 23 to witness the NBA Champion Denver Nuggets take on the Indiana Pacers. Many fans anticipated the home opener for the newly acquired Pascal Siakam, notching 10 points in the first quarters. Siakam made his way to Indy from Toronto via a trade package including Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks. The Pacers also received guard Kira Lewis Jr. from the New Orleans Pelicans in the deal. “Siakam is a good player, he is going to be very consistent, he is going to bring something very valuable to every element of our game,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said following the game. The two-time NBA All-Star scored his first basket in Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a driving finger roll layup, courtesy of Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, within the first two minutes of the contest. “The first two days the trade happened, I don’t think I slept at all,” Siakam said following the Nuggets contest. “It has been crazy.” Due to injury management, star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was absent from the contest. “When Tyrese is back, it will enhance his [Siakam] game even more,” Carlisle said. From...