With the Indiana Pacers down several players, rookie Taelon Peter stepped up to lead the team to a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Peter produced a team-high 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in the 116-101 win to improve to 2-0 this preseason. He went 6-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, in 27 minutes of work off the bench.
The 54th pick scored 13 points alone in the third quarter, helping the Pacers hold a 29-17 advantage in the period to go ahead for good. He was very active on offense, from setting up his teammates to facilitating ball movement to knocking down open shots.
“He is an experienced, four-year guy in college,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “He knows who he is. He knows what his strengths are. He is tough-minded. He is physical, doesn’t mind contact. He is a better athlete than people think, and he can shoot the ball.”
Peter was the Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year last season at Liberty, averaging 13.7 points, four rebounds and one assist on 45.3% shooting from 3-point range. He led the country in true shooting percentage (72.4) and was 19th in player efficiency rating (27.2).
The 23-year-old spent much of the offseason working out at the team practice facility, improving and developing chemistry with his teammates. He also had the opportunity to attend a minicamp organized by Pascal Siakam at his offseason home in Orlando, Florida.
Peter, signed to a two-way contract, credited the team and coaches for helping ensure a smooth transition to the organization. He is eager to continue improving over their last two preseason games and throughout the upcoming year.
“In my position, I feel like you don’t have time to sit around and be in awe,” Peter said. “Last year at this time, I was jumping up and down watching these basketball games, being a big fan. Now, I’m on the court with some of the guys I was cheering for last year. It is just another day in the office for me now.”