Despite missing their star guard Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers secured a 112-104 victory over the Washington Wizards, thanks to Myles Turner’s 18 points and 13 rebounds. Haliburton, leading the NBA in assists and the Pacers in scoring, suffered a hamstring strain earlier in the week and is set for re-evaluation in two weeks.
Turner emphasized the team’s collective effort in compensating for Haliburton’s absence. The win marks Indiana’s eighth in nine games, while Washington faces its sixth consecutive loss.
Bruce Brown and Bennedict Mathurin each contributed 16 points for Indiana. Obi Toppin added 15 points, with Brown also securing nine rebounds and six assists. Jordan Poole was the standout for Washington with 28 points, followed by Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija with 15 points each, and Kyle Kuzma with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Indiana’s T.J. McConnell acknowledged the challenge of replacing Haliburton, citing the need for a collective effort in ball movement and defense. McConnell himself had 14 points and eight assists off the bench.
After trailing at halftime, the Pacers initiated the third quarter with a decisive 10-0 run, taking a lead they maintained for the remainder of the game. Jordan Nwora’s seven-point contribution in the third quarter, totaling nine points, was highlighted by McConnell as a significant performance.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle noted the difference in game dynamics without Haliburton, particularly praising Bruce Brown’s impact in the third quarter. Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. lamented his team’s lackluster start to the second half, attributing it to their downfall.
Indiana dominated the rebounding, holding a 54-45 advantage. The Pacers were without Jalen Smith due to back soreness, while the Wizards missed Landry Shamet for personal reasons.
Looking ahead, the Pacers are set to begin a six-game trip starting in Atlanta, while the Wizards will also face Atlanta in their next matchup.
