From the Finals to the bottom, is the curse coming back? The Pacers, who are surrounded by injuries, should they rebuild or persevere?

Just a few months ago, the Indiana Pacers were at the top of the league, just one step away from the championship. Now, this team is in deep trouble, with only one win at the start and at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. It all started on that heart-wrenching night. In the first quarter of the finals tie-breaker, the core of the team suddenly fell to the ground without any contact. He beat the floor in pain and left the field sadly with the support of his teammates. At that moment, all hope for the entire season collapsed with his injury. Despite the best efforts of his teammates, they still missed out on the championship.

What is even more distressing is that this is just the beginning. The Pacers seem to be under a spell in the new season. Key players were season-ending due to serious injuries, the inside pillars who had been playing for ten years switched to other teams, and injuries continued like dominoes. The injury list of backup point guards, new starters, key rotations, and potential new stars is getting longer and longer, and a complete lineup has become a luxury. From the Finals to the bottom of the league, the Pacers' fall has been staggering. They unfortunately became the third team in history to suffer such a dismal start after the Finals.

This is not the first time this team has suffered such a blow. Looking back on the past two decades, almost every generation of core players suffered major injuries during their peak years. From the early interior overlord to the later all-around forward and now the playmaker, the curse of fate never seems to leave.

Standing at the crossroads of destiny, the management is faced with a difficult choice. Should they give up this season and strive for high-quality picks in next year's draft, or try their best to adjust and preserve their final dignity? 2026 is recognized as a big year for the draft. Talented stars such as AJ DiBanza and Cameron Boozer are worth betting on for the entire season. It is not a good idea to give up this season.