The Pacers improved to 2-1 with a 136-109 win Sunday in Brooklyn. They ripped off a 41-point second quarter, then played a much cleaner second half to pull away for a convincing victory.
Coming out of halftime, the Pacers did a much better job of taking care of the ball, getting stops and pushing in transition before connecting on 3-poitners.
They committed just three turnovers after 12 in the first half. And following a 3-for-11 start from 3-point range, they finished the game with a season-high 21 3s on 43 attempts (48.8%).
“Good win for us,” Rick Carlisle said postgame. “Much needed. Pretty solid game. Pretty tedious in the first half, and then we got some traction at the end of the half, and we were able to get a little bit of separation.”
It was the third game and the third different starting lineup used — and just the first time for the primary five.
But that won’t become a streak this week.
Center Ivica Zubac stepped on the foot of teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. and tweaked his left ankle. He remained on the court for a few more possessions before being subbed out with 4:57 left in the first quarter, following a Nets timeout. He was replaced by Larry Nance Jr.
Zubac went back to the locker room with head athletic trainer Josh Corbeil and did not return to the bench.
“X-rays were negative for a fracture,” Carlisle shared afterward. “He’s got some swelling. Pretty unlikely he’ll play tomorrow night, but we’ll see. Hopefully it’ll be a day-to-day thing.”
He has since been ruled out for Monday as the Pacers complete their first back-to-back of the season in Milwaukee (8 p.m. ET).
This is the same ankle that cost Zubac some time late last season after he was acquired by Indiana.
“We need everybody and our game isn’t gonna look exactly the way it’s looked in recent months and years,” Carlisle said after Sunday’s win. “But the important thing is to find a way to hang in, compete, and give ourselves a chance.”
Jay Huff started the second half in place of Zubac and he was productive, finishing with 14 points, two rebounds, and three assists in 21 minutes. Obi Toppin will spend time at center, and Nance Jr. is also an option.
Tyrese Haliburton, who was scoreless in the first quarter and wasn’t really looking for his shot, finished with a game-high 24 points and 10 assists — his second double-double in three games. Pascal Siakam continues to be their most reliable player and he tallied 21 points. He’s scored at least that in each of the first three games.
The Pacers — and any team, really — struggle when they aren’t making shots and are turning the ball over. Their defensive issues become more glaring, and their body language suffers. After halftime, however, they were able to get in a groove and wear down a Nets team that played the previous night in Cleveland.
They shot 61% in the third quarter and outscored the Nets in the paint. But they hav not do a better job of defending without fouling. They sent the Nets to the line for 37 attempts, 15 more than they attempted.
This is a favorable first week of the season that the Pacers need to take advantage of. Despite a terrible performance on Friday, they’re 2-1 with the Bucks on deck.
Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo is gone — and expectations for the Bucks have dropped considerably — this game is meaningful.
Especially to Haliburton, facing his hometown team. He embraces it — throwing out the first pitch for the Cubs and all. Plus, it’s Myles Turner facing his former team.
The Pacers are shorthanded so they’re going to need the regulars to step up and execute, holding it down in the meantime. Be sharp, get into their actions, and play with the energy of Jalen Slawson.
It’s only three games into the season, but the Pacers are already dealing with the kind of injuries and lineup uncertainty that can test a team’s depth over 82 games.
Sheppard Out Indefinitely, Nembhard Added to Injury Report
The Pacers’ depth at guard took another hit in the season opener as Ben Sheppard suffered a torn left meniscus. Carlisle shared the news with reporters before Friday’s loss to the Mavericks.
“Uncertain of the timetable,” said Carlisle. “Possibility, it may not be too long but we’re not really certain at this point. But it’s there’s a chance he could be back in a couple weeks — or maybe a bit longer.”
He is with the team for this two-game trip.
T.J. McConnell has been out since training camp with a right hamstring strain. There’s no timetable for his return.
Starting point guard Andrew Nembhard is questionable OUT in Milwaukee as he continues to deal with neck soreness.
That means Haliburton will play in his first back-to-back since his Achilles injury, while Nembhard, McConnell and Sheppard are out. Quenton Jackson and rookie Braden Smith must be ready.
Also of note, Aaron Nesmith is probable will play, and they’re watching his minutes as he works his way back from a left hamstring strain. He played just over 19 minutes in Brooklyn.
Pacers and Nets Wear Throwback ABA Uniforms
The Pacers brought back one of their best uniforms — the stripes from the ABA days.
As part of the 50th anniversary of the ABA-NBA merger, the Pacers are among a handful of teams to have this Classic Edition uniform. They debuted them Sunday in Brooklyn, providing a sweet classic look for both teams.
The Pacers will be wearing these uniforms again on Monday night in Milwaukee.
They will wear them for 15 games, including seven at home.
The first home game will be on Sunday, Nov. 1 against the Nets. For those seven home games, they’ll also play on a matching custom court.
So well done.
DAZN 🤝 DIRECTV
DAZN, the Pacers’ new local television partner, reached a multi-year agreement with DIRECTV to make games available to qualifying satellite, streaming and U-verse subscribers.
Subscribers of DIRECTV’s Choice or higher packages can watch games on 671, and subscribers of AT&T U-verse’s U200 or higher package can watch on 1749/749.
The two companies also agreed to a distribution agreement for businesses, allowing those in bars, restaurants, fitness clubs, etc. in central Indiana to be able to watch Pacers games on DIRECTV.
DAZN has streaming-exclusive deals with five teams — Pacers, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Spurs — and so now fans in these teams’ home markets can watch.
In the coming weeks, those with qualifying DIRECTV packages will be able to log into the DAZN app directly to enjoy content.
And for those who still need to sign up, click here for the direct link to do so.
(Note: I reached out to DAZN asking if they’ll be providing refunds for the subscribers who now get it via DIRECTV/AT&T. I will let you know what I hear back.)