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How to Know if the Pacers Have a Top 4 Pick in the NBA Draft Lottery
Indiana’s gamble to address a frontcourt need cost it a top-four protected pick, and the Clippers now control the selection.
- On Sunday, the Indiana Pacers fell to the 5th pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, triggering a trade clause that sends the selection to the Los Angeles Clippers.
- In February, the Pacers traded their 2026 first-round pick to the Clippers to acquire center Ivica Zubac, protected for the top 4 spots; the selection fell to 5th, forcing conveyance.
- President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard apologized on social media Sunday, stating, "I'm really sorry to all our fans," while emphasizing the team needed a starting center to compete.
- With no selections in the first or second round, the Pacers face a difficult offseason; star Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return fully healthy after recovering from a torn Achilles.
- Despite the lottery setback, Indiana aims to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference next season, as the core roster from the 2025 NBA Finals returns intact with Zubac at center.
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Pacers president apologizes to fans after team’s ‘risk’ backfires in NBA Draft Lottery
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Indiana Pacers’ risky move backfired after the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery saw them lose their top pick altogether in a disastrous turn of events on Sunday afternoon. Heading into the lottery, the Pacers, who went 19-63 just one season after reaching the NBA Finals out of the Eastern Conference, had a 52.1% chance of having a top-four pick. However, when they didn’t see their team chosen in the first fo…
Pacers president apologizes to fans after team's 'risk' backfires in NBA Draft Lottery
Indiana Pacers team president Kevin Pritchard said he takes full responsibility after the team's top-four protected pick fell to No. 5, sending it to the Los Angeles Clippers.
·New York, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources27
Leaning Left11Leaning Right4Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Left
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Left
52% Left
L 52%
C 29%
R 19%
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