NBA 2K26 Gets the Indiana Pacers All Wrong
The Indiana Pacers are one of the NBA’s most exciting young teams. With Tyrese Haliburton blossoming into a superstar and Pascal Siakam providing steady All-Star production, Indiana has built a roster full of athleticism, shooting, and depth. After a strong offseason, expectations around the franchise are higher than they’ve been in years.
But you wouldn’t know that if you fired up NBA 2K26. The latest edition of the popular video game series seems to miss the mark on Indiana’s roster, inflating role players, undervaluing cornerstones, and flattening the team’s hierarchy. While 2K has long struggled to capture young, fast-rising squads, the Pacers’ case feels particularly off base.
Here’s a breakdown of where the game gets it wrong.
Tyrese Haliburton: Underrated at 93 OVR
At first glance, a 93 overall rating looks solid—but it doesn’t tell the full story. Haliburton led the NBA in assists last season while averaging over 20 points per game and showcasing elite shooting and playmaking. He was the engine behind Indiana’s transformation into a contender, yet 2K places him just outside the league’s true superstar tier.
Haliburton deserves to sit in the 95–96 OVR range, alongside young MVP-caliber guards like Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. To cap him at 93 undersells his impact as a top-10 player in the league.
Pascal Siakam: Slightly Overrated at 89 OVR
Siakam remains a versatile All-Star, capable of stretching the floor and scoring inside, but an 89 overall feels a touch generous. While he thrives as a complementary piece, he hasn’t consistently excelled against elite defenses or proven he can carry a team as a primary option.
A more accurate rating would be 87–88 OVR—a strong second star, but not quite in the same tier as franchise-defining players.
Obi Toppin: Overrated at 81 OVR
This is where things get puzzling. Placing Toppin at 81 overall ranks him alongside Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith—players who have shown more consistent production.
Yes, Toppin’s athleticism and improved shooting make him exciting in transition, but his defense remains shaky and he often disappears in half-court situations. A more realistic number would be 78–79 OVR, reflecting his role as a rotation piece rather than a key starter.
Bennedict Mathurin: Underrated at 81 OVR
On the flip side, Mathurin deserves far more credit. Though his sophomore season had its bumps, he is one of Indiana’s most important long-term pieces. With a knack for getting to the line, scoring at all three levels, and creating his own shot, Mathurin’s ceiling is much higher than his 2K rating suggests.
He should sit in the 83–84 OVR range, reflecting his growing role as a secondary scorer next to Haliburton and Siakam.
Aaron Nesmith: Overrated at 81 OVR
Nesmith has carved out a valuable role as a 3-and-D wing, and his 86 three-point rating is fair. But at 81 overall, 2K places him on par with higher-usage players. Nesmith’s value lies in his defense and floor spacing, not shot creation or playmaking.
A more accurate grade? 78–79 OVR—a reliable rotation player, but not a core star.
The Bigger Issue with 2K’s Ratings
The Pacers’ situation reflects a broader problem with how 2K handles young teams: the tendency to inflate role players while underselling stars. By bunching too many Pacers between 80–81 OVR, the game creates a false sense of balance, masking the real hierarchy of the roster.
In reality, Indiana’s offense flows through Haliburton, with Siakam and Mathurin as clear secondary options. In 2K, however, players can just as easily dominate with Nesmith or Toppin without penalty, making the digital version of the Pacers feel flat and unrealistic.
The truth is, Indiana has assembled one of the most promising cores in the NBA, a team built around an elite playmaker and supported by versatile young talent. But until 2K adjusts its ratings to better reflect that dynamic, the Pacers’ virtual identity won’t match the real-life contender taking shape in the Eastern Conference.
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