Lance Stephenson: 'As soon as I put that (Pacers) jersey on, I feel like I get my powers'

INDIANAPOLIS — Everything was predictable, until it wasn't

Lance Stephenson receiving a standing ovation Wednesday night in his first home game after signing a 10-day hardship contract with the Pacers, the franchise that drafted him 40th overall in 2010? Predictable.

Stephenson making his first shot against the Nets, a 3-pointer, and celebrating in signature style by strumming an air guitar as he skipped back on defense? Predictable.

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Stephenson baiting a Brooklyn player, forward DeAndre' Bembry, into a technical foul, much to the delight of the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse? Predictable.

All of that was in the Stephenson script, but what came next wasn't. That chapter hadn't been written yet by him or any player in NBA history.

In a game headlined as unvaccinated Kyrie Irving's season debut, with Brooklyn rallying for a 129-121 win, it was Stephenson who nearly spoiled Irving's return by scoring an NBA record 20 points off the bench in the first quarter, leaving his nostalgic fans either speechless or begging for more.

"As soon as I put that jersey on, I feel like I just get my powers," Stephenson said. "I don't know what it is. Every time I put that jersey on, man, I just feel comfortable. And when you playing in front of people that's happy for you to play and telling you and egging you on, it makes the game more easier."

On Wednesday night, it certainly looked easy as Stephenson exploded for 20 of his Pacers career-high 30 points in the first quarter, highlighted by four 3-pointers. Even more impressive than the 20 points is the way Stephenson scored them. In a row, all in six minutes.

He capped off his scorching hot start with a step back, buzzer-beating 3 over the outstretched arm of James Johnson, punctuating Stephenson's return to Indiana and the NBA.

"It was definitely tough, just sitting out (of the NBA) for two years and just doing one-on-one workouts and not getting in that game shape, just trying my best to stay in shape," Stephenson said. "Going to the G-League and getting my feet back going and teaching the young guys the game down there and to getting these 10-days, it's a blessing, man.

"I just never gave up."

Stephenson played for the Lakers on a one-year deal in 2018-19, his ninth NBA campaign, but he wasn't picked up by another franchise and found himself on the outside of the league looking in.

Despite the money he made and previous success he had, even helping the Pacers reach the Eastern Conference finals in 2013-14, Stephenson wasn't ready to shut the door on his career.

So, he played overseas for the Liaoning Flying Leopards in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2019-20 and entered the G League Draft last October. Stephenson was selected 13th overall by the Grand Rapids Gold, the Nuggets' G League affiliate, and averaged 19.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 12 games this season before the landscape of the NBA changed seemingly overnight.

Hundreds of players have been sidelined by COVID-19 as the omicron variant surges through the league. The NBA is allowing teams to sign an additional player for every player who enters the health and safety protocols, which is how Stephenson got a chance at a second act. He inked his first 10-day hardship deal with the Hawks — and his former Pacers coach Nate McMillan — appearing in six games and scoring 11 points combined.

After Stephenson wasn't retained, the Pacers, who've been depleted due to a COVID-19 outbreak, made their move to bring him back. Three games into his third tenure with the franchise, the MVP chants were already underway by most of the 14,176 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday as Stephenson notched the second 30-point game of his career.

"When I talked to (team president) Kevin Pritchard about Lance Stephenson coming on board, I asked him if there's some things that I should know about him," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "And he said, 'He's got a real connection and a real magical thing with our fans,' and that was certainly evidenced (Wednesday). He was tremendous.

"Twenty points off the bench in the first quarter is an NBA record, which is amazing."

Domantas Sabonis, who registered his 15th career triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, was in awe of Stephenson, too. The two-time All-Star played with Stephenson during Stephenson's last stint in 2017-18 and called him "a legend."

"It was amazing. He's been through a lot and to come back home and just have this kind of game for him, it means a lot," Sabonis said. "Wish we could've got the win for him."

Stephenson said his confidence remained high even when he was out of the NBA and that a pure love for the game kept him going. His 10-day contract with the Pacers ends Jan. 10, and although the future is unpredictable, two things aren't.

The performance Stephenson had Wednesday night in Indianapolis — the place he calls “home” with the fans he considers “family” — is etched in the NBA record books as well as his heart.

“I couldn’t even sleep (Tuesday) night. I was definitely excited for this game,” Stephenson said. “I just knew the fans was gonna come out and make me feel welcome, and when you playing in front of a crowd that’s welcoming you, it’s amazing. So I just had to go out there and show out.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers Lance Stephenson returns home, lights up Kyrie Irving's return