Indiana Pacers Fan Jam was a success!

A competitive scrimmage, an entertaining showing in the Rookie Show and a record setting crowd.

The Indiana Pacers held their annual Fan Jam on Saturday afternoon, and it was as good as advertised. Coach Carlisle said on Media Day that he wanted to treat this scrimmage as an extra preseason game and that is exactly what happened.

Friday, the 18-players were divided into two teams:

The White Team: Tyrese Haliburton, Bruce Brown, Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, Myles Turner, Daniel Theis, Jordan Nwora, Isaiah Wong and Andrew Nembhard (who did not play as he is still returning to full action after missing time with kidney stones).

The Blue Team: Buddy Hield, TJ McConnell, Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, Aaron Nesmith, Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson, Oscar Tshiebwe and Kendall Brown.

The White Team gave the Blue Team the business in practice on Friday, winning 44-29. Because of this, the Blue Team had to dress in the visitors locker room. Before Saturday’s scrimmage, Coach Carlisle said there would be “a consequence” for the losing team. This gave the Blue Team extra motivation to come in Saturday and show the White Team they were all business for the scrimmage.

Game Recap

The Blue Team got out to an early lead, up 24-14 and had the White Team on their heels. The White team made a push to start the 2nd half. Haliburton found Toppin for an alley-oop layup as the shot clock was winding down. The next play, Turner blocked a Smith three-point attempt, which led to a fast break opportunity where Tyrese Haliburton connected with Obi Toppin for another alley-oop, but this time it was a slam dunk finish.

This cut the lead to 2, but the Blue Team responded by hitting back-to-back threes, extending the lead to 8-points and keeping the White Team from tying it up or gaining the lead. The game ended and the Blue Team (the reserves) beat the White Team (the starters) 51-44.

Buddy Hield smiling from ear-to-ear, started talking smack to the White Team’s bench. He stood center court and yelled: “Go Blue! Go Blue!” Jarace Walker also made some fun comments to the White Team as he walked by their bench.

For the first time in Fan Jam history, the game had an official box score.

TJ McConnell set the tone on both ends of the floor, scoring 6 of the Blue Team’s first 8-points and harassing Haliburton defensively. He finished with 10-points on 5-7 shooting. Buddy Hield followed in McConnell’s footsteps, adding 18-points on 6-10 shooting. Aaron Nesmith wasn’t an offensive force, but you felt his defensive pressure. He was a +11 for the game, the best for either team.

Ben Sheppard and Jalen Smith joined Hield, McConnell and Nesmith as the starters for the Blue Team. Jarace Walker, Kendall Brown, Oscar Tshiebwe and Isaiah Jackson came off the bench.

The team was coached by Mike Weinar (Head Coach), Jim Boylen, Jannero Pargo and Isaac Yacob. Al Jefferson (pictured above) set on the Blue Team’s bench as well.

Tyrese Haliburton and Benn Mathurin were the focal points offensively for the White Team. Haliburton led the way with 15-points and 4-assists. Mathurin added 11-points, shooting 3-6 from the field and 2-4 from 3. Obi Toppin had the best highlight plays. He scored just 6-points on 3-5 shooting, but his 3 made baskets were two emphatic dunks and an alley-oop layup. Fans loved the excitement that Obi brought to the game.

Bruce Brown and Myles Turner joined Haliburton, Mathurin and Toppin as the starters for the White Team. Daniel Theis, Jordan Nwora and Isaiah Wong came off the bench.

The team was coached by Lloyd Pierce (Head Coach), Jenny Boucek, Mo Baker and Zach Chu.

The Rookie Show

Jarace Walker won the singing competition. He was dressed as Buddy from the Christmas classic, Elf. He sang “California Girls” by Katy Perry. He was last to perform in the singing competition, but kicked things off with the dance competition and was grooving.

Ben Sheppard easily won the dancing competition. Buddy Hield requested that Myles Turner have the players do a dance-off after the sing competition ended. Shepp had some impressive moves and gave it his all. He was in a Luigi costume. He also sang “One Time” by Justin Bieber.

Oscar Tshiebwe dressed as Sully from Monsters, Inc. and sang “Shut Up & Dance With Me” by Walk the Moon. He gave it a good effort with his dance moves.

Mike Weinar told me after the game that Isaiah Wong had the best costume. He wore a Donald Duck costume and sang “Return of the Mack”. His dancing skills unfortunately were lackluster.