3
Nov
Aussie Warning
Siakam issues warning for teams targeting Furphy
Johnny Furphy #12 helps uo Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers during the Pacers Fan Jam on October 5, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images
The three-time NBA All-Star praised the Aussie wing, saying he "holds his own"
- Complete list of every Australian in the NBA
- 2025 NBA Draft Tracker: Where every player was selected
- 2025-26 NBA regular season schedule for every Australian men's basketballer in the NBA
Three-time NBA All-Star and Indiana Pacer Pascal Siakam has issues a stern warning for teams thinking they can target teammate and Aussie wing Johnny Furphy.
"I think a lot of people see him out there and they try and go at him, he's not one of them," Siakam said in the post-match press conference following Indiana's 114-109 win over the Golden State Warriors on November 2.
It was a game where Furphy played 25 minutes in only his second appearance of the season after returning from a foot injury.
The former Kansas Jayhawk impressed in his playing time with five points, three rebounds and two steals but more impressively, playing some stoic defence, especially when the Warriors targeted the second-year player.
"I love everything he does, just in terms of playing the right way," Siakam, who recently starred in a Halloween recreation of a scene from iconic film Training Day with Furphy, said.
"He's going to move his feet, he's going to work hard, he's just a good basketball player.
"Once his shot gets more consistent, I think he's going to be a problem.
"I just love his energy, he holds his own but people look at him and think they can go at him, he's just not letting that happen."
It's high praise from Siakam, who has been one of the best wings in the NBA since helping lead the Toronto Raptors to the 2019 championship alongside the likes of Kawhi Leonard before being traded to the Pacers in January, 2024.
With Furphy as a rookie, Siakam and fellow All-Star Tyrese Haliburton took the Pacers on a dream run to the 2025 NBA Finals, losing in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
