Pacers face Raptors while trying to avoid dubious team mark

As the Indiana Pacers prepare to face the Toronto Raptors, they are grappling with the aftermath of losing their leader, Tyrese Haliburton, which has led to expectations of a decline in performance this season. This situation mirrors the experiences of other teams, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, who, despite having star players like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, never secured an NBA championship. The Pacers' current struggles underscore the broader theme of how pivotal player losses can affect a team's trajectory in the league.