The Indiana Pacers have announced the lineup for their NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, and it promises to offer some compelling rematches—albeit with a twist. While the rosters won’t feature many of the postseason protagonists, the matchups echo significant encounters from last year’s playoff battles. Indiana’s summer unit is set to face the squads from Cleveland, New York, and Oklahoma City—the same teams they contended with during the Eastern Conference playoffs, Conference Finals, and NBA Finals. In addition, they’ll square off against the Chicago Bulls’ Summer League team—a nod to their historical postseason skirmishes with the Bulls.
Echoes of the Playoffs in the Desert
It’s unusual for Summer League schedules to mirror high-stakes postseason series, but this schedule does just that. There are three marquee games that rekindle the narrative from the Pacers’ deep playoff run. Though the Summer League rosters comprise mostly young, unestablished players, the symbolic resonance of facing last year’s playoff foes remains strong.
1. Indiana vs. Cleveland Cavaliers — This will be the opening Summer League contest for the Pacers, scheduled for July 10 at 5 p.m. Eastern in Cox Pavilion. The game will be broadcast live on NBA TV.
2. Indiana vs. Oklahoma City Thunder — Pitting themselves once again against the team they faced in the NBA Finals, the Pacers will take on the Thunder on July 12 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern, also at Cox Pavilion, with full coverage on NBA TV.
3. Indiana vs. New York Knicks — In a nod to their Conference Semifinals matchup, the Pacers will face the Knicks on July 17 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern, airing on ESPN2 at Thomas & Mack Center.
In between those key contests, the Pacers will face the Chicago Bulls at 6 p.m. on July 14 in Cox Pavilion, with the game airing on ESPN U. This matchup harks back to a much earlier playoff rivalry dating back decades.
After these four scheduled games, the Pacers will have a fifth fixture, which will come as part of either the Las Vegas Summer League playoffs or the consolation bracket, to be played sometime between July 18 and July 20.
Scouting the Summer Roster
The Summer League team will feature recent draftees and several undrafted players who signed Exhibit 10 deals—contracts that provide incentives to join the organization’s NBA G League affiliate if the player isn’t retained on the NBA roster.
Kam Jones (Marquette) – The Pacers selected Jones with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the draft. He’s expected to play a leading role in the Summer League, showcasing his abilities as a seasoned college guard.
Taelon Peter (Liberty) – Chosen at No. 54, Peter brings energy and versatility. Like Jones, he’s projected to make immediate contributions during Summer League action.
RJ Felton (East Carolina) – A guard who went undrafted but earned an Exhibit 10 contract; Felton is almost certain to join the squad in Vegas.
Samson Johnson (Connecticut) – A center with a strong defensive profile, Johnson also signed an Exhibit 10 deal and is expected to bolster the team’s frontcourt depth.
Steven Ashworth (Creighton) – Another Exhibit 10 signing; the guard adds shooting and backcourt depth with potential to show off his offensive range.
Returning members from the previous season round out the Summer League roster:
Johnny Furphy – An athletic wing who spent time with the Pacers last season. Expect Furphy to bring his high-energy style to the Summer League stage.
Enrique Freeman – The forward also returns and will likely continue his development through Summer League minutes, building on his foundational rookie campaign.
This roster mix—blending draft picks, undrafted signees, and former first-year players—reflects a strategy focused on evaluating young talent, measuring development, and identifying potential fits for either the NBA roster or the team’s G League affiliate.
Summer League Format & Broadcast Schedule
The Las Vegas Summer League begins with a round‑robin preliminary phase, where each team plays four games over a week. Indiana’s first four games are set and televised as follows:
July 10 vs. Cleveland
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Venue: Cox Pavilion
Channel: NBA TV
July 12 vs. Oklahoma City
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Cox Pavilion
Channel: NBA TV
July 14 vs. Chicago
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Venue: Cox Pavilion
Channel: ESPN U
July 17 vs. New York
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Thomas & Mack Center
Channel: ESPN2
All four games are designed to generate viewership, particularly with rematch intrigue tied to the Pacers’ dramatic playoff run last spring.
Following the initial games, the Pacers will be seeded based on their round‑robin performance and will then compete in either the Summer League tournament or a consolation bracket. That fifth matchup is currently scheduled to fall between July 18 and 20 but will be determined later based on prior results.
Strategic Objectives Behind the Showdowns
Although mirroring playoff matchups, the Summer League lineups will look completely different. These games offer Indiana a competitive yet experimental environment to evaluate young talents and rotational prospects. Several objectives are in play:
Skill Evaluation – The coaching staff gets a chance to see new draftees, like Kam Jones and Taelon Peter, perform in a fast‑paced, professional setting.
Developmental Focus – Exhibiting progress in game situations helps the team track growth for players with Exhibit 10 contracts and rookies like Furphy and Freeman.
Strategic Insights – Facing teams affiliated with playoff foes prompts organizational evaluation of those franchises’ developmental pipelines.
Fan Engagement – The marketing value of Summer League, particularly with matches featuring iconic postseason rival organizations, helps sustain public interest during the offseason lull.
Profile of Key Rookies and Signees
Let’s delve a bit deeper into each of the young men who’ll be vying for attention:
1. Kam Jones (Marquette, No. 38)
Jones is a seasoned guard who earned accolades during his collegiate stint, displaying strong perimeter shooting and playmaking. His experience navigating collegiate competition makes him a figure to watch in Las Vegas. Given Indiana’s need for backcourt talent, a strong Summer League showing could boost his chances of earning meaningful minutes or a two‑way contract.
2. Taelon Peter (Liberty, No. 54)
Liberty’s guard stands out for his athleticism and versatility. Selected in the late second round, Peter is expected to capitalize on Summer League exposure to showcase his ability to impact both ends of the floor. For the Pacers, he represents a dynamic, developmental guard prospect.
3. RJ Felton (East Carolina, Exhibit 10)
Felton went undrafted but impressed the organization enough to receive a contract offer. His Summer League stint gives him the platform to prove himself—whether as a G League standout or a surprise addition to Indiana’s full roster.
4. Samson Johnson (Connecticut, Exhibit 10)
A defensive-minded center, Johnson adds size and rim protection. His transition from college to the professional game will be key to observe, especially how he adapts to physicality and pace at this level.
5. Steven Ashworth (Creighton, Exhibit 10)
With sharpshooting indicators and Creighton pedigree, Ashworth could emerge as a reliable floor spacer—crucial in today’s NBA. Summer League minutes are vital for him to prove consistency from deep.
6. Johnny Furphy (returning wing)
Furphy flashed flashes of two‑way potential last season. Summer League will help determine if he can further solidify himself as a rotational piece—especially with a strong perimeter presence and defensive versatility.
7. Enrique Freeman (returning forward)
Freeman’s year‑one experience gives him a developmental edge. If he builds upon that foundation, he might earn a role on the G League team or in a limited NBA capacity next season.
Understanding Exhibit 10 Deals
The contracts signed by Felton, Johnson, and Ashworth are likely Exhibit 10 deals—one‑year, minimum salary contracts featuring incentives (up to $50,000) if the player joins and remains with the team’s G League affiliate for a minimum number of days. It’s a common organizational tool that provides flexibility, allowing teams to develop prospects without committing full NBA roster spots. These arrangements offer both structure and opportunity, as players can earn financial bonus and attention during Summer League.
Why These Playoff Rematch Labels Matter
Even though none of the key Pacers stars from last season (like Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, or Pascal Siakam) will be in Las Vegas, the rematch commentary adds symbolic heft. It provides storyline continuity—Indiana fans can relive or pre-empt the excitement of last season’s key matchups, even at a developmental level.
By marketing the games as “playoff rematches,” Indiana and the NBA capitalize on narrative appeal. Every game—Cavs, Bulls, Thunder, Knicks—is infused with added meaning, giving even rookie scrimmages a hint of playoff drama.
Broadcast Windows: Maximizing Exposure
Indiana’s four guaranteed games are split across several broadcast platforms:
NBA TV handles the Cleveland and Oklahoma City matchups—a signal that the league recognizes their marketability and competitive potential.
ESPN U showcases the matchup with Chicago, offering fans a broader broadcast platform.
ESPN2 airs the game against New York—another sign of the card’s appeal.
The broadcasting strategy amplifies visibility for Pacers’ young talent and underscores the most compelling matchups.
The Fifth Game: Tournament Dynamics
After the initial quartet of games, the Pacers aren’t done. Summer League employs a structured tournament and consolation bracket, meaning each team gets a fifth contest. That final game will be scheduled between July 18 and July 20. Depending on Indiana’s record, it might be a quarterfinal, consolation, or standby matchup—each offering the chance for further player development and evaluative minutes.
Timing & Venue Recap
Here’s a quick snapshot of the Pacers’ full Summer League slate:
Date Opponent Time (ET) Venue Broadcast
July 10 Cleveland Cavs 5:00 p.m. Cox Pavilion NBA TV
July 12 Oklahoma City 5:30 p.m. Cox Pavilion NBA TV
July 14 Chicago Bulls 6:00 p.m. Cox Pavilion ESPN U
July 17 New York Knicks 4:30 p.m. Thomas & Mack ESPN2
July 18–20* TBD (5th game) TBD TBD TBD
* Timing depends on the outcome of round‑robin games.
Why This Matters for Indiana and Fans
Player payoff: Summer League is a springboard. Performances can dictate offseason decisions—whether to keep players on NBA contracts, assign them to a two-way or G League contract, or let them pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Team identity: Expanding their brand of development and resilience. Indiana continues to build an identity around cultivating young, energetic players.
Fan interest: By evoking playoff rivalries, the Pacers sustain watchdog interest during the offseason, making fans feel connected to the broader arc of the organization’s narrative.
Coherent pipeline: By blending drafted rookies, Exhibit 10 signees, and returning young players, Indiana demonstrates its layered developmental strategy—from NBA minutes to G League seasoning.
Final Thoughts & Big Picture
The Pacers’ Summer League plan is more than a showcase; it’s a strategic audition. Each game—especially those billed as rematches—purposely reinforces Indianapolis’s overlapping ambitions:
Prepare new talent effectively,
Keep fans engaged,
Position promising players for future roles, and
Control their developmental destiny via rookie contracts and G League flexibility.
Echoing last year’s playoff surprises and matchups gives these games narrative weight. Even in a pre-season setting, the “Pacers vs. Thunder,” or “Pacers vs. Cavs,” carries intrigue. Fans get to glimpse rising stars, while the franchise evaluates who approaches NBA readiness.
Though the rosters won’t feature this year’s playoff heroes, the structure of these Summer League matchups signals that Indiana is thinking ahead—both about cultivating young talent and about branding their culture of player development.
Leave a Reply