INDIANAPOLIS – When Mac McClung found out he was joining the Indiana Pacers, he sat in his car overcome with emotion.
“I was in Chicago about to play for their G League team and then I got a call that might work with a group of NBA veterans and all that,” McClung said. Athletics. “As I was walking out, they told me not to get on a plane or anything.
“I got in my car and I couldn’t help but get emotional. I was like, man, I’ve been trying to get a contract for five years. So it’s a really nice moment where I thought about all the people who were with me for this.”
Amid mounting injuries on the roster, McClung signed a two-year, non-guaranteed $4.9 million minimum contract with a team option for the 2026-27 season with the Pacers on October 28.
This is the first standard NBA contract for McClung after years of two-way deals, 10-day contracts and training camp deals. McClung, the first three-time NBA All-Star Weekend dunk contest champion, went undrafted in 2021 and spent time with the Bulls, Lakers, 76ers and Magic organizations. He was named the G League Rookie of the Year for the South Bay Lakers in 2021-22, averaging 19.5 points and 6.3 assists per game in 13 games. In 2023-24, he was named G League MVP with Osceola Magic after averaging 25.2 points and 6.4 assists per game. He is one of five players to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in G League history.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” McClung said. “But I learned a lot, and I got to see a lot of people, different organizations, and meet a lot of good people. And it’s definitely mine. I’m just trying to understand that this is my journey and I’m very grateful for that.”
With star Tyrese Haliburton tearing his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, the Pacers were already facing an uphill battle this season. But just a few weeks into the season, Indiana saw its bench depleted. TJ McConnell suffered a hamstring injury in preseason, Andrew Nembhard injured his shoulder in the season opener against Oklahoma City. And Bennedict Mathurin suffers from week to week with a toe injury.
As they recover, McClung, who was the first call-up to the G League this season, will provide depth to the Pacers’ backcourt.
“He’s a young player but he’s got some experience,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said after McClung’s first practice with the team. “And he’s played in professional leagues. He’s played in a lot of G League games. He’s played NBA basketball. He’s got a pretty good natural feel for the NBA game. He’ll play twos and ones. I know he’s excited. We’re happy to have him on board.
“He’s a forward. He’s aggressive. He’s healthy, which is important right now. And it’s an opportunity for him and for us. Anyone who can be healthy and available and able to play some minutes is very important right now. He’ll definitely give us a boost with our depth.”
Since joining Indiana, McClung has averaged 6.3 points, 1.7 steals and 1.3 rebounds in three games and has not played in two of the five games he has played. McClung has traveled the country on G League rosters, and signing with Indiana gives him the opportunity to stay in one place longer than before.
“It’s been great. It’s very welcoming,” McClung said. “Everyone has been so nice. And I really love the people, and, you know, Indiana, playing basketball here, it’s a dream.
“I bring a lot of energy. I’m a competitor who just wants to compete, but gives a lot of energy to a team. I feel like that’s what I bring. There’s this culture here. I mean, with Rick and the front office and all the staff… they win for a reason. They’re good people. I feel like people who win in life are good people, and that’s what this organization is. And I’m very lucky to be here.”
On Wednesday night, the Pacers found themselves on the losing side in what was a back-and-forth battle with the Brooklyn Nets, who were fighting for their first win of the season. Early in the second half of the 112-103 loss, Carlisle was ejected after some confusion over an on-field call.
Carlisle looked unhappy after an inbounds pass was deflected and the ball was awarded to the Nets. Brooklyn’s Michael Porter Jr. nailed a quick 3 and Carlisle received two quick technical fouls in a row. Assistant coach Lloyd Pierce acted as head coach in Carlisle’s absence.
The Pacers were led by Pascal Siakam with 23 points and 10 assists. Ben Sheppard scored 18. Backup center Jay Huff added 16 with four 3-pointers. Indiana joins the Nets and Wizards (1-7) at the bottom of the East. They head West for four games starting Saturday against the Nuggets, Warriors, Jazz and Suns.
