Pascal Siakam, a former star of the Raptors, is back in Toronto with the Indiana Pacers.

Pascal Siakam is still accustomed to a lot of things at Scotiabank Arena, but only a month after being moved from the Toronto Raptors, he is already detecting some changes.

For his first game against the Raptors since being traded on January 17, Siakam and the Indiana Pacers traveled to Toronto on Wednesday. He spent his first eight years as a professional in Toronto, where he played a key role in the Raptors’ 2019 championship run.

After the morning shootaround, Siakam remarked, “It was weird,” courtside. “I’ve never been inside the building’s visitors’ area. I may have gone to that side during the playoffs because I believe that’s where the interviews were held. To be honest, it’s simply a little strange because there are some areas that I have never gone.

Prior to Wednesday’s NBA basketball play in Toronto, Indiana Pacers forward and former Toronto Raptor Pascal Siakam reacts after watching a video tribute. The date of the photo is February 14, 2024. PRESS OF THE CANADA/Chris Young

“Even just looking at the building brings up a lot of memories; it seems cozy. Even if I’m wearing a different jersey, entering this building makes a lot of things come to mind.

He not only helped the Raptors win the NBA Finals, but he also made the All-NBA squad twice, was an all-star with the club twice, and won the league’s Most Improved Player Award in 2018–19.

A sold-out audience of 19,800 applauded each time Siakam appeared on the TV monitors during the singing of the national anthems at Scotiabank Arena. Along with being the final player shown during the Pacers’ squad introductions, he was formally welcomed on the field with the playing of a lengthy video tribute.

Prior to the game, Siakam stated that he was attempting to block out any thoughts about how the tribute would feel.

“I simply want to go out there and handle things as they arise, without trying to plan ahead too much,” he remarked. You’re going to a place where a lot of familiar faces will greet you; these are people I’ve known for the last eight years of my life and who have played a significant role in it.

It will be fantastic just to see everyone. You get a little calmer, like, “I know what this feels like,” when you see some of the supporters, some of whose faces I’ve seen at every game.

Wednesday morning, Siakam got a taste of that when he was exiting the court of Scotiabank Arena after a shootaround, enthusiastically addressing security officers and venue personnel by name.

Siakam spoke of his transition to the Pacers organization, “It was obviously an adjustment. I’m a player that gets comfortable and I appreciate certain things.” But it seems like the men here have made things a lot simpler. Just everyone’s support, including that of the organization.”

After seeing Siakam help Toronto win the championship five years ago, Aurora, Ontario native and 24-year-old backup point guard for the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard, was happy to see Siakam come to Indiana.

“I had some acquaintance with him prior to his joining our group,” Nembhard, who shares the same agency as Siakam, stated. “He’s the kind of guy who is really winning but selfless, so it was great to have him on the squad.”

Prior to Siakam’s trade, there were multiple media stories claiming that he and Raptors team president Masai Ujiri had grown estranged and had not spoken to one other for months. In a post-trade news conference on January 18, Ujiri said as much and apologized in public for his involvement in Siakam’s disintegration.

Siakam handled the situation on Wednesday with grace.

“I’ve always looked up to Masai as a mentor, but at some point I realized that I’m developing into a man,” he remarked. I get that conversation, hey man. I understand. I am aware of the business. I’ve been here long enough to have witnessed events.

I’m putting it behind me. As I mentioned before, I’m in a wonderful circumstance right now, and I believe I’ve kind of moved on from it. I just don’t feel like thinking about it.

Between Toronto and Indiana this season, Siakam is averaging 21.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.