Tonight marks Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals as the Indiana Pacers face the Oklahoma City Thunder in enemy territory, with tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Both squads boast a talented roster of players across the board, but for die-hard Raptors fans, there's no denying the pride in Pascal Siakam’s success. The former franchise cornerstone has arguably been Indiana's most impactful difference-maker, recently earning the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals MVP award.
When Pascal Siakam won his first NBA championship as a member of the historic 2019 Raptors squad, "Spicy P" was just beginning his rise to stardom. He had recently earned the 2018-19 Most Improved Player of the Year award and had emerged as one of the Raptors' key players alongside superstar Kawhi Leonard and wily veteran Kyle Lowry during that title run.
But the years that followed undoubtedly put a massive chip on Siakam's shoulders as the Raptors had to consider their championship prospects without Leonard at the helm. As a result, Siakam was arguably thrust into a precarious situation where he had to suddenly step up as Toronto's primary leader, despite his rise to prominence having come through patience and hard work.
With the spotlight on "Spicy P," his first couple of seasons as the Raptors' main star did not generate the desired response from fans or the media. I won't lie either—coming off such a Cinderella-like run, I had initially placed high, perhaps unnecessary, hopes on Siakam to be the guy to keep the title window open. But as time and quality reps accumulated, he proved that he could certainly reach that ceiling.
Siakam would evolve into a perennial All-Star and All-NBA candidate, becoming one of the league's most versatile forwards who can defend, score, and playmake with efficiency and effectiveness.
Pascal Siakam is a star — but can he secure a spot in the Hall of Fame?
Raptors fans were treated to this development in his later years with the franchise, and while the team's direction often proved frustrating or uncertain at times, Siakam remained one of the team's most consistent highlights.
Fans on opposite ends of the spectrum will have strong opinions about how Masai Ujiri handled the Pascal Siakam trade, but what's done is done, and both franchises are now moving forward respectively.
Now, with the Indiana Pacers in the headlines as a Finals-bound team, Siakam has the chance to impress a broad audience and shift mainstream media perception with a continued display of his skills en route to hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy once more.
At 31 years old, Siakam shows no signs of slowing down and, given his playstyle, has plenty of room to continue being one of the league's top talents, despite still being overlooked in the broader NBA star landscape. His resume already includes G-League honors, that previously mentioned Most Improved Player award, the historic 2019 championship run, along with his numerous All-Star and All-NBA selections.
Although, the ultimate feather in Siakam's cap would be earning a second ring with the Pacers. If that happens, it’s clear that when Siakam decides to hang up his sneakers, he will be a highly deserving candidate for future Hall of Fame discussions.
Even as these ex-Raptors move on to greener pastures, you can't help but grin ear to ear knowing that these great stars were once part of Toronto's rich basketball history. Hopefully for Siakam, he can also secure a place among the all-time greats.