The ball went through the net and ricocheted off Siakam’s right leg and into the hands of a young fan in the first row Thursday night. The boy’s mouth was agape, presumably because he was at a loss for words after Siakam’s emphatic fourth-quarter dunk. Siakam was at a loss for words, too, unable to describe the emotions running through his body. So, as [Philadelphia](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/sixers/) called timeout to regroup, Siakam lingered on the hardwood and let out a roar.
The crowd of 15,699 fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse roared back.
“I appreciate every single fan out there, every single supporter,” Siakam said in a TV interview after Indiana’s 134-122 victory over the 76ers. “Again, I want to make this home.”
Siakam packed three suitcases when he was traded from the [Raptors](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/raptors/) to the Pacers last week, and he’s been living in a hotel since he touched down in Indianapolis. He acknowledged how hectic it’s been logistically to switch teams and countries midseason, but he’s found familiarity on the court.
Perhaps he’s found a home, too.
Siakam hasn’t had time to go house-hunting just yet, so any housewarming gifts will have to wait. However, Gainbridge Fieldhouse looked like his house Thursday after he warmed it up with his gifts. One day after Siakam’s first practice with the Pacers, he notched a triple-double in his first win with the franchise.
“Siakam was obviously tremendous,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
“You get a power forward with a triple-double, that’s pretty special.”
Siakam finished with a team-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to the secure the sixth triple-double of his career. The crowd erupted when he delivered his 10th assist to Nembhard, who scored on a reverse layup in the fourth quarter. When Siakam checked out of the game with 1:38 remaining, the cheers grew even louder.
“That’s all you can really ask for as a player, to go to a place where from the fan base to the equipment manager, there’s just so much respect and love and an appreciation,” Siakam said. “It just feels good because I’m that type of person. If I have a nice house, that’s probably the only thing I really need. I don’t do anything, so having appreciation and a nice house? You got me.”
13_PG_13
I’m fully embracing all this hopium. Tyrese and Pascal with the rest of the great supporting cast? I can’t believe how far we’ve come since that fateful deRozan shot.
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INDIANAPOLIS – This was joy in its purest form.
[Pacers](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/pacers/) guard [Andrew Nembhard](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/andrew-nembhard-GtUigfM1AgaZvPMz/) drove down the lane, drew a slew of Sixers defenders as he jumped and dished a pass to a cutting [Pascal Siakam](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/pascal-siakam-O4WMbrh2Eb51D9jq/). Indiana’s newest player took care of the rest, soaring toward the rim and throwing down a two-handed tomahawk jam.
The ball went through the net and ricocheted off Siakam’s right leg and into the hands of a young fan in the first row Thursday night. The boy’s mouth was agape, presumably because he was at a loss for words after Siakam’s emphatic fourth-quarter dunk. Siakam was at a loss for words, too, unable to describe the emotions running through his body. So, as [Philadelphia](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/sixers/) called timeout to regroup, Siakam lingered on the hardwood and let out a roar.
The crowd of 15,699 fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse roared back.
“I appreciate every single fan out there, every single supporter,” Siakam said in a TV interview after Indiana’s 134-122 victory over the 76ers. “Again, I want to make this home.”
Siakam packed three suitcases when he was traded from the [Raptors](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/raptors/) to the Pacers last week, and he’s been living in a hotel since he touched down in Indianapolis. He acknowledged how hectic it’s been logistically to switch teams and countries midseason, but he’s found familiarity on the court.
Perhaps he’s found a home, too.
Siakam hasn’t had time to go house-hunting just yet, so any housewarming gifts will have to wait. However, Gainbridge Fieldhouse looked like his house Thursday after he warmed it up with his gifts. One day after Siakam’s first practice with the Pacers, he notched a triple-double in his first win with the franchise.
“Siakam was obviously tremendous,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
“You get a power forward with a triple-double, that’s pretty special.”
Siakam finished with a team-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to the secure the sixth triple-double of his career. The crowd erupted when he delivered his 10th assist to Nembhard, who scored on a reverse layup in the fourth quarter. When Siakam checked out of the game with 1:38 remaining, the cheers grew even louder.
“That’s all you can really ask for as a player, to go to a place where from the fan base to the equipment manager, there’s just so much respect and love and an appreciation,” Siakam said. “It just feels good because I’m that type of person. If I have a nice house, that’s probably the only thing I really need. I don’t do anything, so having appreciation and a nice house? You got me.”
I’m fully embracing all this hopium. Tyrese and Pascal with the rest of the great supporting cast? I can’t believe how far we’ve come since that fateful deRozan shot.
Me too, Pascal. Me too.