Every season, coaches tell young players to be patient, to stay ready, to keep working hard, to continue preparing in case the opportunity for meaningful playing time arrives.
That time has come for Aaron Holiday and Edmond Sumner, the guards who are stepping into the void at the backup guard position now that Tyreke Evans has been elevated to the starting lineup in the wake of Victor Oladipo's season-ending injury.
Whether or not the 23-year-olds are ready for what lies ahead remains to be seen, but also will be crucial to the Pacers' attempt to maintain pace with the leaders in the Eastern Conference.