It's always great to see former Raptors thriving in their new environments.
Right now, the Indiana Pacers, guided by the dynamic duo of Tyrese Haliburton and ex-Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, are poised for a first-round victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, currently leading 2-0 in the series.
Last postseason, the Pacers surprised everyone with a strong run to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they ultimately lost to the Boston Celtics, who went on to become the NBA Champions. Siakam had a solid second-half campaign with the Pacers after being traded there in January 2024, and he continued with great contributions in the playoffs.
Even better for Indiana, the lovable "Spicy P" has taken another leap in his game this season. He's continuing to prove himself as a dynamic two-way forward with impressive playmaking skills, and even showing a refined ability to stretch the floor better than during his time in Toronto—Siakam has truly become a reliable spot-up shooter.
Right now, during the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Siakam is proving all the doubters wrong. Many still remember his past playoff struggles in Toronto, when "Spicy P" faced criticism for not stepping up when it mattered most. But this time, he’s showing everyone what he’s truly capable of.
Pascal Siakam is stepping up as a reliable star for the Indiana Pacers
In Game 1 against the Bucks on April 19, he scored 25 points with an impressive shooting performance—hitting 10 of 15 shots and going 3 for 5 from beyond the arc. He added seven rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal in just 33 minutes of play.
Then, in Game 2 on April 22, Siakam continued to shine, dropping 24 points on 8-for-16 shooting and 2-for-5 from three-point range. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out three assists, and snagged three steals during 34 minutes of action.
This, my friends, is clearly Pascal Siakam at his peak; his finest hour, if you will. The Raptors enjoyed several impressive seasons from Siakam, especially during the Raptors championship run and his Most Improved Player campaign in 2019.
However, the following Siakam-led era proved a bit lackluster, and the team quickly began transitioning from the old guard to the fresh talent coming in. Once the Raptors fully set their sights on the next generation, it became clear that Siakam might not play a key role in the team's future; and eventually, he was traded.
It's his current playoff burst with the Pacers that's reminding everyone, "You must've forgot!"
His co-star, Tyrese Haliburton, shared his thoughts with reporters during the post-game media scrum after Indiana took a 2-0 lead against the Milwaukee Bucks:
"This is who Pascal Siakam is. He's been a steady presence for us all year. I'm so glad he's on our team. I think he could be the most underrated player in the NBA, to be honest with you. I think what he does on a nightly basis is amazing; he's so consistent, so steady... I just really appreciate him playing that big bro, mentor role for our group, and us as a young group... Him having played in big games like this, he knows what to expect, and I think that's why we've had success these last two years in the playoffs; he's a big reason why."Tyrese Haliburton on Pascal Siakam
As a Siakam fan, it’s great to witness the renewed energy and camaraderie among his teammates. However, as a Raptors fan, I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed that we missed out on seeing Siakam thrive as part of Toronto's winning core.
Nevertheless, I see his departure as a necessary sacrifice for the new vision taking shape now. Without trading Siakam, the Raptors wouldn’t have Brandon Ingram. While Raptors Nation is still uncertain about how this move will pan out, it was undeniably a significant step in refreshing Toronto’s direction.
Still, I know Raptors fans would have loved to see this kind of performance from Siakam in the city that helped him grow. But hey, hats off to "Spicy P" for making the most of his new situation and still being just as impactful—if not more—than he was in Toronto.