Pacers stars say it is championship or bust this season

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indiana Pacers 2018-19 season starts Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Indianapolis against Memphis Grizzlies.  

The Pacers start with five games in seven days in the first week of the season, including home games Wednesday and Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The team is talking about one goal: a championship. 

For fans, there is a lot to get excited about, including seeing the team play on national television. The Pacers having 12 national television games. Last season, the team only had one on national television.

All that is extra, but players are talking about one thing winning. 

“This city doesn’t have a championship,” said Myles Turner. “Never won a championship, some people say it sounds crazy but we talk about that internally every day. That’s our drive, that’s our motivation.” 

“We could either be really special or we could be looking back on the year like we should have done this or should have done that,” said Victor Oladipo. “We just got to continue to get better and not worry about the future and just stay in the present. I know it’s old fashion and I know I say it a lot but it’s true. You got to focus on today and control what you can control and work on winning the day and everything else will take care of itself.” 

Some big home games at the beginning of the season include games against Boston on November 3, Houston on November 5 and Philadelphia on November 7.

Fans can check out some new food items too like doughnut ice cream sandwiches, bacon meatball sliders and pork belly poke bowls. 

And happening downtown Wednesday are some family-friendly activities on the Simon Family Plaza on Pennsylvania Street beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

Check out the team’s full schedule here.