When the final buzzer sounded and confetti rained down in celebration of the Eastern Conference champions, Pascal Siakam stood at center court with one emotion flooding his entire body: gratitude. He had been here before. But this time—it meant even more.
“I’m going back to The NBA Finals,” he shouted, voice full of joy and pride. 🗣️
For Siakam, now a seasoned veteran, this wasn’t just another milestone. This was a full-circle moment. The last time he reached this stage was in 2019, as a rising star on a Kawhi Leonard-led Toronto Raptors team that shocked the world and brought Canada its first-ever NBA championship. Siakam, then just 25, was a spark plug—a long-limbed, high-energy forward who sprinted the floor, defended relentlessly, and scored in bunches. His impact was undeniable, and his name quickly rose from “promising” to “proven.”
But that was six long years ago.
Since that historic championship, Siakam’s journey has been anything but smooth. Injuries, roster changes, and the ups and downs of being a franchise cornerstone tested his resolve. There were questions—about leadership, about his ceiling, about whether the Raptors’ success was a one-time lightning strike. Through it all, Siakam kept working. Quietly. Relentlessly.
And then, the trade happened.
In early 2024, Pascal Siakam was dealt to the Indiana Pacers. To some, it felt like a fresh start. To others, it seemed like the beginning of a decline. But Siakam saw it differently.
“This is a chance to build something special again,” he said at the time. “I’ve been there before. I know what it takes.”
Fast forward to now: Siakam has not only embraced the challenge—he’s led the way. His veteran presence has helped anchor a young, fast-paced Pacers squad filled with energy and ambition. Alongside emerging star Tyrese Haliburton and a deep supporting cast, Siakam has been the glue guy, the tone-setter, and—most importantly—the consistent force in the biggest moments.
During the Eastern Conference Finals, Siakam was nothing short of spectacular. He averaged 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists while shooting efficiently and defending like his 2019 self. Game after game, he delivered—whether it was a clutch bucket in the fourth or a critical defensive stop when momentum started to swing. For his efforts, he was deservedly named Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
When asked what the award meant to him, he paused, smiled, and said, “It’s special. I’ve worked so hard to get back to this point. But this isn’t the end. This is just the beginning of what we came here to do.”
The emotion in his voice wasn’t just about basketball. It was about everything that happened between 2019 and now. The post-championship pressure. The media criticism. The injury rehab. The trade rumors. The actual trade. Starting over, fitting into a new system, building chemistry with new teammates, proving—again—that he belongs on the biggest stage.
What sets Siakam apart isn’t just his game—it’s his growth. In 2019, he was learning how to win. In 2025, he’s teaching others how to win. He’s the player who leads by example—first in the gym, last to leave, always encouraging, always focused. His versatility on both ends of the floor has become the backbone of Indiana’s Finals run. He guards multiple positions, creates mismatches on offense, and adapts to whatever the game demands.
And his team feeds off of it.
“Pascal’s energy is infectious,” Haliburton said after Game 6 of the ECF. “He’s been through it. He knows what it takes. Every time he speaks, we listen.”
That leadership is exactly what Indiana needed. A team full of hungry talent just needed someone who’s been to the mountaintop—and still had the hunger to climb again. That’s Siakam.
As he now prepares for his second NBA Finals appearance, the memories of 2019 linger in the back of his mind. The pressure. The crowds. The parades. The legacy. But this time, it’s different. In 2019, he was part of someone else’s story. In 2025, he’s writing his own.
“I remember how it felt to win it all,” Siakam said, reflecting. “The city, the fans, the energy—it stays with you. But it also makes you hungry to feel it again. That’s what’s been driving me. Not just to get back here, but to finish the job.”
The NBA Finals stage is set. And while all eyes might be on younger stars or flashier narratives, there’s one storyline quietly rising above the rest: the return of a champion who never stopped believing.
Pascal Siakam’s journey from 27th overall pick to NBA champion to ECF MVP has been anything but linear. But if there’s one thing he’s proven, it’s that heart, hustle, and humility go a long way.
And now, six years after his first trip, he’s going back—stronger, wiser, and more motivated than ever.
“I’m going back to The NBA Finals.” 🗣️
And this time, he’s bringing a new team, a new chapter, and the same relentless fire that’s always burned deep inside him.
