Indiana Pacers Eye Johnny Furphy Breakout Role As Rick Carlisle Seeks Depth To Replace Tyrese Haliburton’s Presence For 2025-26 Season

The Indiana Pacers spent last season redefining expectations. A franchise that many around the league saw as talented but not yet ready to climb into contender territory stunned the NBA with a Finals run that shook the landscape of the Eastern Conference. They did it with a balance of star power, gritty bench production, and a belief in Rick Carlisle’s system. But as the new season approaches, a new challenge is on the horizon: finding a way to replace Tyrese Haliburton’s presence while maintaining the depth that defined their improbable journey. It is in this space of uncertainty where opportunity often emerges, and Carlisle has already signaled one name that could step forward to fill the gap—Johnny Furphy.

Furphy’s rookie season in Indiana was quiet, if not forgettable to the casual fan. A mid-first-round selection, he entered the league known for his offensive promise, his athleticism in transition, and his ability to stretch the floor. But on a team that leaned heavily on established pieces to fuel a playoff push, he found minutes scarce. For most of the year, he was a practice presence, a developmental project whose flashes in scrimmages left more questions than answers. Yet Carlisle and his staff did not forget why they drafted him. They saw him as a player who could grow into the kind of weapon Indiana thrives on—a versatile scorer who fits within the flow of an offense predicated on spacing, movement, and unselfish play.

Now the circumstances have changed. The Pacers enter 2025-26 knowing that Haliburton’s absence, however temporary or permanent, will alter the fabric of their rotation. Haliburton was not just the team’s engine on offense, he was their connector, the player whose decision-making lifted the level of everyone around him. Losing that kind of presence is not something that can be solved by plugging in one player. It requires layers, adjustments, and contributions from across the roster. Carlisle has long been a coach who embraces this mentality. He does not merely rely on stars; he weaponizes his bench, turning overlooked role players into meaningful contributors in high-pressure moments.

That philosophy is what now places Furphy squarely in the spotlight. Carlisle has spoken openly about his belief that the young forward is ready to carve out a real role in Indiana’s rotation. He praised Furphy’s energy, his constant motion off the ball, and his ability to cut into space in ways that create scoring opportunities without demanding touches. For a team that thrives on balance and the next-man-up mentality, these traits matter as much as any shooting percentage. Furphy, in Carlisle’s eyes, fits seamlessly into a system that values players who make the right plays instinctively, who keep defenses on edge by simply being active and alert.

It is easy to see why Carlisle is optimistic. Indiana’s Finals run showcased how their depth was not a luxury, but a necessity. Every series, every matchup demanded a different hero, and time after time the Pacers found one. Whether it was an unlikely scoring burst from a bench guard or a defensive stand from a rotational big, the Pacers survived and thrived on contributions that did not always make headlines. That depth carried them through adversity, and Carlisle knows that replacing Haliburton’s presence requires doubling down on that collective identity. Furphy, even as a second-year player, embodies the kind of unpredictability that could tilt games in Indiana’s favor.

There is also the reality that Furphy represents something more than just a potential rotation filler. He represents the Pacers’ continued investment in developing young talent alongside established veterans. Indiana is not a franchise built on high-profile free-agent signings. They have historically relied on drafting well, maximizing player development, and creating an environment where overlooked players grow into trusted contributors. Furphy’s story fits neatly into this tradition. While he may not carry the polish or notoriety of a lottery pick, his tools are undeniable—size on the wing, shooting touch, and the kind of motor that cannot be taught. Carlisle’s willingness to publicly identify him as a breakout candidate signals both confidence and expectation.

The leap Furphy is expected to make will not come without challenges. Adjusting to the NBA’s speed and physicality is a process that trips up even the most talented prospects. Last season, when Furphy did find the floor, he looked tentative at times, as if still calibrating the difference between college spacing and professional defenses. He struggled to find rhythm in limited minutes, and his shooting percentages reflected a player pressing rather than playing freely. But development often comes in leaps, not linear progressions. A summer of focused work, a season of observing from the bench, and a clearer path to playing time can be the exact formula that sparks a breakout.

Carlisle’s belief matters here. A coach who has seen decades of NBA talent does not casually throw praise at young players unless he sees something genuine. His endorsement of Furphy’s energy and cutting is not a throwaway line—it reflects how Carlisle envisions him fitting within Indiana’s offense. The Pacers thrive on tempo, movement, and leveraging space created by drives and ball movement. In that environment, a player like Furphy does not need the ball in his hands to be impactful. His value can emerge in how he times a backdoor cut, how he relocates for an open corner three, or how he sprints the floor in transition to collapse a defense. Those subtle plays add up, and Carlisle knows they can swing games in the margins where the Pacers so often find their edge.

For Furphy, the opportunity is not just about filling minutes—it is about proving he belongs in a rotation that expects to compete for another deep playoff run. The Finals appearance raised the bar for Indiana. They are no longer a team sneaking up on the league; they are a team with targets on their back. Depth will be tested, and roles will be scrutinized. Furphy must prove he can handle the spotlight when it shines his way. If he does, he not only strengthens Indiana’s chances this season but also solidifies himself as part of their long-term core.

There is a symbolic weight to this storyline as well. The Pacers have always carried a blue-collar reputation, a franchise that thrives on resilience, effort, and unselfishness. Furphy’s path embodies that ethos. He is not being handed a role because of draft status or hype. He is being asked to earn it through energy, cutting, and fit. That kind of player resonates with Indiana fans, who embrace those who play with effort as much as those who play with flair. Should Furphy emerge as Carlisle envisions, he could quickly become a fan favorite, the kind of under-the-radar success story that fuels the Pacers’ identity.

The 2025-26 season will test Indiana in new ways. Losing Haliburton’s presence means reimagining how their offense flows, how their rotations are structured, and how their depth is maximized. It is a daunting task, but one that Carlisle has been preparing for since the moment he returned to Indiana. His track record of adapting, of finding ways to make unlikely contributors shine, suggests the Pacers will once again find solutions that surprise the league. Johnny Furphy may be one of those solutions.

As training camp approaches, the focus will be on stars, on how Indiana plans to adjust its offense without its All-Star point guard. But within the margins, stories like Furphy’s are where the Pacers’ true identity will be forged. Carlisle has placed the challenge before him. The door to opportunity is wide open. Now, it is Furphy’s job to step through it and prove that he is not just a developmental project but a vital part of Indiana’s future. If he succeeds, the Pacers may not just weather Haliburton’s absence—they may uncover a spark that takes them even further than last season’s unexpected run.