East Notes: Pacers, Pascal Siakam, Cavs, Hornets

Pacers

Forward Pascal Siakam made an emotional return to Toronto on Wednesday, hitting a bank shot to seal the Pacers’ victory.

“I tried to stay focused on the game as much as I could, but it [was] just hard, just coming in here and seeing so many familiar faces and reflecting on everything,” Siakam told reporters. “Coming back here after eight years, just to see the reception and people being so genuinely happy for me, I think for me that was the most important thing. … I couldn’t really ever dream of that. It means a lot, so I appreciate everyone for everything. I’m humbled.”

Siakam was traded to the Pacers last month in a deal that delivered guard Bruce Brown to the Raptors.

“It feels amazing,” Siakam said of his time with the Pacers. “[From the moment I got to Indiana] it’s just been so much love, so much appreciation and just like overly supportive in everything. It feels good to be in a place like that. I’m just looking forward to continuing to be there and just have an opportunity to do something special with that team.”

• The Pacers held a short players-only meeting following Monday’s upset loss to the Hornets. “Some things were addressed after the game,” center Myles Turner said, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “We all got together and we spoke without the coaches and just talked it out and I think we’re headed in the right direction. There’s no excuses, man.”
• Small forward Doug McDermott is clearly happy to be back with the Pacers. “It feels good to be a part of winning basketball,” he said, via Dopirak. “I haven’t really been a part of that in a couple years. Just to be a part of the Pacer organization, I’m super excited but very thankful for my time in San Antonio.”
• In case you missed it, All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton said he hopes to retire with the Pacers. We have that full story here.

Cavaliers

Guard/forward Isaac Okoro tied his career-high with four 3-pointers and was a major factor in the Cavs’ ability to overcome a 17-point deficit to beat the Bulls on Wednesday.

It’s all part of Cleveland’s never-say-die approach.

“This team just has fight, that never-give-up mentality, like we needed today,”  Okoro said. “When we got down, we kept fighting and were more physical, aggressive pushing it and playing faster on offense.”

• Rookie two-way forward Emoni Bates has been added to the Rising Stars game in Indianapolis following a thumb injury to Ron Holland of G League ignite. Bulls two-way center Adama Sanogo will therefore take Bates’ place in the G League Up Next game.
• For more on the Cavs, check out the latest Dribbles right here. They’re 18-2 since early January.

Hornets

• The Hornets intend to interview Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon, Nets assistant GM Jeff Plowright and Clippers GM Trent Redden for their head of basketball operations position, per James Plowright of SI.com. More candidates are sure to be added.
• We have more from out of Charlotte and more East notes right here.