Thompson, McGlothan Deserving Representatives for Boom at All-Star Weekend

By Wheat Hotchkiss | NoblesvilleBoom.com

The Noblesville Boom will be well represented at NBA All-Star 2026 in Los Angeles. The G League announced on Tuesday afternoon that two-way guard Ethan Thompson will take part in the G League Next Up Game on Sunday, Feb. 15. Thompson will also compete in the G League 3-Point Contest, while his Boom teammate Gabe McGlothan will take part in the G League Slam Dunk Contest.

Thompson has enjoyed a career breakthrough this year in his fifth professional season.

The 6-foot-5 guard began the year with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, where he averaged 26.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.4 steals over eight games during the G League Tip-Off Tournament, shooting 45 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from 3-point range.

Thompson played well enough to impress the Pacers, who signed him to a two-way contract on Nov. 30. While Thompson previously signed a two-way with Orlando last February, he never played in an NBA game. But with the Pacers beset by a rash of injuries, Thompson was immediately thrown into the fire in Indiana.

He made his NBA debut on Dec. 1 and just four nights later logged 34 minutes off the bench in a win in Chicago, tallying 11 points, three assists, and two blocks. The Pacers were +25 with Thompson on the floor, prompting head coach Rick Carlisle to move him into the starting lineup for the next game. Indiana won again, with Thompson contributing six points and five boards.

Thompson has appeared in 20 games for the Pacers and has demonstrated that he more than holds his own on an NBA court. He has started five games, scored in double figures four times, and averaged 4.2 points and 1.3 assists over 15.3 minutes per game.

As the Pacers have gotten healthier, Thompson has spent more time with the Boom, playing in seven games for Noblesville over the past month. To say he’s been excellent would undersell just how well Thompson has played.

In seven games with the Boom, Thompson is averaging 26.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting an eye-popping 48.4 percent from the field and 53.6 percent from 3-point range.

Thompson’s last game with the Boom was his best performance yet. He erupted for 34 points in a 125-109 win over Birmingham at The Arena at Innovation Mile on Sunday, going 11-for-19 from the field and 9-for-15 from 3-point range while also tallying eight assists, seven rebounds, and three steals. Thompson’s nine 3-pointers tied the franchise record for most threes made in a single game.

With Thompson leading the way, the Boom are the hottest team in the G League, currently riding a six-game winning streak. Thompson is a deserving choice to represent the franchise at All-Star Weekend.

So, too, is McGlothan.

The second-year forward has been a steady presence for the Boom all season. He started 14 games for Noblesville in the Tip-Off Tournament, averaging 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks on 52.9 percent shooting.

As the Pacers have gotten healthier and two-way players have spent more time with the Boom, McGlothan has gracefully moved into a reserve role while remaining highly productive. He is averaging 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds on 53.9 percent shooting in 15 games coming off the bench in the G League regular season.

McGlothan’s strong play with the Boom even earned him a call-up to the Pacers on a 10-day hardship contract in December, though he didn’t see action in an NBA game.

If McGlothan were to win the G League Slam Dunk Contest, it would be the fourth title in the event in franchise history. Tony Mitchell won the contest in back-to-back years in 2013 and 2014 for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and DeQuan Jones captured the title for the Mad Ants in 2018, the last time All-Star Weekend was held in Los Angeles.