Hornets Credit Pacers' Playoff Run as Inspiration for Turnaround Season

Charlotte's fast-paced offense modeled after Indiana's surprise Finals appearance last year

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:04pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract basketball game, with overlapping shapes and planes of color representing the fast-paced, high-energy style of play that the Pacers and Hornets have embraced.The Pacers' unexpected playoff run last season inspired other teams to emulate their fast-paced, collaborative style of play.Charlotte Today

The Charlotte Hornets revealed they looked to the Indiana Pacers' surprise playoff run last season as a blueprint for their own turnaround this year. Hornets players said they wanted to emulate the Pacers' up-tempo, balanced offensive style that nearly led them to an unlikely NBA championship. While the Pacers struggled this season, their previous success has served as inspiration for other teams in the Eastern Conference.

Why it matters

The Pacers' unexpected playoff run last season showed that a team without a superstar can still compete at the highest level through a collaborative, fast-paced style of play. This has provided a model for other teams like the Hornets to follow, demonstrating the impact a single team's success can have on the broader league.

The details

Last season, the Pacers were under .500 on January 1 but came within two quarters of winning an NBA title before Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury ended their Cinderella run. This year, the Pacers couldn't replicate that success, finishing with the second-worst record in the league. However, their previous playoff surge has inspired other teams, with the Hornets revealing they 'modeled' their own up-tempo offense after the Pacers' style.

  • The Pacers nearly won the NBA championship last season.
  • The Hornets finished the 2022-23 season with the fifth-best offense in the league.

The players

Tyrese Haliburton

The Pacers' star player who tore his Achilles last season, ending their surprise playoff run.

Miles Bridges

A Hornets player who said the team wanted to emulate the Pacers' fast-paced style of play.

Kon Knueppel

A Hornets rookie who credited the Pacers' playoff success as a 'blueprint' for Charlotte's turnaround season.

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What they’re saying

“We can do that too. We kind of modeled our game after that. We want to get out and run like this.”

— Miles Bridges, Hornets Player

“They gave the blueprint for a lot. We might not have like the superstar, All-Star, All-NBA guy, but we got a lot of good players. When we play fast, and we have a bunch of guys that can really contribute, it's just a good style for us.”

— Kon Knueppel, Hornets Rookie

What’s next

The Pacers are hoping to bounce back next season and contend for a championship, with Haliburton fully healthy and the potential to add another top draft pick to their roster.

The takeaway

The Pacers' surprise playoff run last season has had a ripple effect across the NBA, inspiring other teams like the Hornets to adopt a similar fast-paced, collaborative style of play. This demonstrates the broader impact a single team's success can have, even if they struggle the following year.