Terry Taylor played for the Mad Ants Sunday in Fort Wayne and had a big game.

Second-year forward Terry Taylor didn’t need the day off.

He wanted to play.

So despite the Pacers having Sunday off after playing on back-to-back days, and in two different time zones, Taylor traveled to his third city in as many days to get some run in.

Taylor joined the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the G League for their game against the Cleveland Charge. He finished with 29 points, 18 rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes. He made 10 of 16 shots, including 1 of 3 from range.

For context, Taylor has played fewer minutes in the last four Pacers games he’s played in than he did on Sunday (32).

Taylor has fallen out of the Pacers’ rotation, playing in just two of the past 10 games. In fact, he hasn’t gotten regular playing time since he played 15 minutes in the fourth game of the season.

He tallied three points and two rebounds in five minutes Saturday against the Orlando Magic.

“There are a lot of things that are great about Terry Taylor,” head coach Rick Carlisle said on Saturday, “but one of the really great things is if you play him for short minutes, you got a guy that’s gonna go in and play his minutes and be in the absolute right places all the time, offensively and defensively.”

The Pacers have won eight of their past 10 games, including four in a row, and he’s been on the outside looking in. But Taylor has stayed ready. And so when the opportunity came for him to play with the Mad Ants on Sunday afternoon, it was no surprise that he took advantage.

And dominated. As he should.

Taylor, like many on the Pacers, is a hooper and wants to play. So being on assignment from the Pacers is one way to make it possible, and it allows for a player to build confidence while staying in game shape.

See Also: Q&A with Terry Taylor: On his contract guarantee, growth and running his own race

The Mad Ants (3-2) were in full control after the second quarter. They led by as many as 30 points and all 12 available players played.

Taylor, who changed his number to 21 this season, plans to return to Indy to be active with the Pacers in Monday’s game against the Magic. Then, he could play again with the Mad Ants on Tuesday … this time in Indy.

For the second season in a row, the Mad Ants are playing a portion of their schedule at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Mad Ants and Charge will play again at 11 a.m. — and if you work in the downtown area, I highly suggest checking it out.

Two-way guard Trevelin Queen was not with the team and guard David Stockton is in health and safety protocols. In Kendall Brown's first game out of protocols, he contributed 14 points, four rebounds and six turnovers in 32 minutes.

Of note, Nate Hinton, who was with the Pacers last season, plays for the Charge and led all scorers with 30 points.

Fieldhouse Files with Scott Agness

Terry Taylor records 29 points, 18 rebounds…