Lance Stephenson didn’t exactly come charging out of the gate this season.
From the second game on, he found himself marred in a three-week long slump that caught the eye of attentive Pacers fans. It was confusing, where has “Good Lance” gone, they asked. Amid the confusion, theory began to develop: Maybe, just maybe Lance will start to shine again once Myles Turner returns to the starting lineup and Domantas Sabonis returns to the second unit. That was the hope at least.
The early returns are in. It has been three games since Turner and Sabonis have inhabited their expected roles, and if those early returns are correct, then they are looking good for Stephenson and the Pacers.