PACERS NEWS RELEASE
Indiana’s season continued on Sunday in Brooklyn as the Pacers routed the Nets, 136-109. The victory marks the Pacers’ second straight win on the road, and takes care of the first leg of their first back-to-back of the season.
It was a much-needed bounce back for the Pacers after a tough showing against the Mavericks on Friday, even with a slow start. Indiana committed eight turnovers in the first quarter as they settled into the rhythm of the game in Brooklyn, and the Nets led by two points after the first, 26-24.
The Pacers went on to score 41 points in the second quarter – a season-high for points in a quarter – and took a nine-point advantage into halftime, 65-56. Pascal Siakam led the way for the Blue and Gold with 10 points in the frame, and shot a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor.
“We had some turnovers in the first half that were a bit uncharacteristic,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “They were active and they’ve got long, angular athletes, and they’re disruptive.
“So we just got better organized and were able to get some shots down and get some stops, and it gave us some momentum at halftime, which we needed.”
Sunday marked Siakam’s 600th career start, and he was productive with 21 total points. He also grabbed seven rebounds and recorded six assists after playing through some foul trouble in the first half. His versatility on both ends of the floor was a necessity for Indiana after Ivica Zubac went down with an ankle injury early in the game.
Zubac sustained a left ankle sprain early in the first quarter after landing awkwardly on Kelly Oubre Jr.’s foot while chasing a rebound. He exited to the Pacers’ locker room and did not return.
Jay Huff slotted into the starting lineup for the second half with Zubac sidelined due to injury. He stretched the floor with the starters, and hit a 3-pointer just over a minute into the second half. Huff finished with 14 points, made two triples, and went 5-for-6 from the floor.
Tyrese Haliburton led all scorers with 24 points, but really started to feel like himself in the third quarter after he slammed down a dunk on a fast break. He bounced the ball to himself as he launched off two feet to finish through the rim. Haliburton scored 10 points in the third, knocked down a pair of 3-pointers, and dished out four assists.
“I think there’s a statement to be read there,” Carlisle said of Haliburton’s dunk. “And that is that he’s back. He’s back, and I don’t know, that’s the first off two feet dunk I think I’ve seen him have in the NBA, so that’s a very strong statement, and it was a momentum play too.”
The Pacers reached the century mark late in the third quarter, and took a 22-point lead into the fourth, 102-80.
Haliburton swung the ball to Siakam on the wing with just over three minutes left to play, and Siakam knocked down the triple to extend Indiana’s lead to 24 points. It also marked Haliburton’s 10th assist and his second double-double of the season. He recorded 24 points to lead all scorers, four rebounds, and ten assists.
After shooting just 30 percent from deep in New Orleans and 22 percent on Friday against the Mavericks, the Pacers started to knock down shots from deep in Brooklyn. They shot 48.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 57.6 percent overall. Indiana’s 21 made 3-point field goals mark a season high for the Blue and Gold.
The Pacers went on to defeat the Nets, 136-109, and improved their record to 2-1. Nolan Traore was Brooklyn’s best scorer with 17 points and five assists off the bench. The Nets duo of Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle went a combined 6-for-21 from the field and scored just 20 points.
Indiana’s win in Brooklyn was its second straight win on the road, and first contest of a back-to-back. The Pacers will head to Milwaukee for a matchup with the Bucks on Monday, Oct. 26.
Inside the Numbers
Indiana averaged just 25.8 percent from deep through its first two games, but shot 48.8 percent from 3-point range in Brooklyn.
The rebound battle was even – each team grabbed 40 rebounds.
The Pacers’ 21 made 3-pointers on Sunday tied the Timberwolves for most makes from deep in a game this season.
Indiana had seven players score in double figures on Sunday – Tyrese Haliburton (24), Pascal Siakam (21), Obi Toppin (16), Andrew Nembhard (14), Jay Huff (14), Kelly Oubre Jr. (14), and Aaron Nesmith (13).
The Pacers had three players make four 3-point field goals – Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and Obi Toppin. They were a combined 12-for-20 from deep (60 percent).
You Can Quote Me on That
“We developed a good rhythm as the game went on. I thought we took for the most part, very good ones, and Tyrese has got…He’s just got some unique abilities to create, you know, three point makes.” – coach Rick Carlisle on Indiana’s hot shooting night
“Both [Jay] Huff and [Larry] Nance [Jr.] really did a terrific job of being ready and doing what was necessary. Jay protected the rim, he got rebounds, he hit some shots. Nance was very solid. You know, he hit a three and made some really nice plays around the rim.” – Carlisle on the backup centers’ readiness when Zubac left with an injury
“We need everybody, and our game isn’t going to look exactly the way it’s looked, you know, in recent months and years. But the important thing is to find a way to hang in, compete, and give ourselves a chance. And we did that in the first game at New Orleans, and we did it tonight, and you know, we’ll have to find a way tomorrow.” – Carlisle on remaining competitive while battling injuries
“X-rays were negative for a fracture. He’s got some swelling. It’s pretty unlikely he’ll play tomorrow night, but we’ll see. Hopefully it’ll be a day-to-day thing.” – Carlisle’s update on Zubac’s left ankle sprain
“I think there’s a statement to be read there. And that is that he’s back. He’s back, and I don’t know, that’s the first off two feet dunk I think I’ve seen him have in the NBA, so that’s a very strong statement, and it was a momentum play too.” – Carlisle on Haliburton’s fast break dunk
“The crowds, Pacer fans, have been amazing. Obviously, our home game crowd was amazing. I’ve felt the love through social media over the last 17 months. So, you know, I know I’ve got a lot of people rooting for me and showing love, which I don’t take for granted…I love every minute of it and I’m thankful for every part of it.” – Tyrese Haliburton on fan support throughout his recovery and return
“We’ve just got to control what we can every day, be the best version of ourselves every day. You know, we really don’t care about outside expectations. We have a goal of winning a championship, and we’re trying to take it day by day to get there.” – Haliburton on Indiana’s management of outside expectations
Stat of the Night
After committing 12 first half turnovers, the Pacers committed just four in the second half.
Noteworthy
Tyrese Haliburton moved into seventh place in total assists in franchise history on Sunday.
Andrew Nembhard notched his 3,000th career point on Sunday.
Ivica Zubac sustained a left ankle sprain in the first quarter and did not return on Sunday.
The Pacers and Nets each wore their ABA Classic edition uniforms for Sunday’s matchup.
Up Next
The Pacers are off to Milwaukee to complete their first back-to-back of the season. They’ll tip off against the Bucks on Monday, Oct. 26, 8:00 PM ET.
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GAME PREVIEW: PACERS AT BUCKS
After picking up their second straight road win on Sunday night in Brooklyn, the Pacers (2-1) will head to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks (0-3) on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Blue & Gold bounced back from a 121-105 loss to Dallas in their home opener on Friday with a convincing 136-109 victory over the Nets. Tyrese Haliburton recorded his second double-double of the season with a team-high 24 points and 10 assists, while Pascal Siakam added 21 points and five other Pacers reached double figures.
Starting center Ivica Zubac sprained his left ankle in the first quarter and did not return. Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr. manned the center position in his absence, with Huff tallying 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting (2-of-3 from 3-point range) and three blocks and Nance registering six points and six boards. With Zubac likely to also miss Monday’s game, Huff and Nance will be counted on again in Milwaukee against former Pacers center Myles Turner.
Turner and the Bucks have yet to win a game so far this season, falling in Washington, at home against Chicago, and in Philadelphia. Milwaukee has a very different look this season after trading two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami over the summer.
Three players acquired in the trade with the Heat currently lead the Bucks in scoring. Tyler Herro is averaging 23.7 points and 5.3 assists, Jaime Jaquez Jr. is averaging 20.7 points and 8.7 rebounds, and backup big man Kel’el Ware is averaging 12.3 points and 6.7 boards. Turner has averaged 7.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks over the first three games.
Probable Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Andrew Nembhard, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Jay Huff
Bucks: G – Ryan Rollins, G – Tyler Herro, F – Jaime Jaquez Jr., F – Kyle Kuzma, C – Myles Turner
Injury Report
Pacers: Ivica Zubac – TBD (left ankle sprain), Johnny Furphy – out (right ACL repair/surgery), T.J. McConnell – out (right hamstring strain), Ben Sheppard – out (left meniscus tear)
Bucks: None
Last Meeting
March 15, 2026: Aaron Nesmith scored a career-high 32 points, but the Pacers fell to the Bucks in Milwaukee, 134-123.
Indiana jumped out to an early lead, but the Bucks surged ahead thanks to a 40-point third quarter and pulled away for the win.
Nesmith went 10-for-14 from the field and 7-for-10 from 3-point range in the loss. Jay Huff added 16 points off the bench, while Jarace Walker tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points, 14 boards, and eight assists. Bobby Portis added 29 points and 10 rebounds while going 6-for-11 from 3-point range and Ryan Rollins added 20 points and seven assists.
Noteworthy
This is the first of 15 back-to-backs on the Pacers’ schedule this season.
The Pacers and Bucks will meet for their traditional four games in the regular season. After Monday, the Pacers will host the Bucks twice in one week at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, on Jan. 9 and 13. Indiana will visit Milwaukee once more on March 20.
In addition to their new-look roster, the Bucks have a new head coach in Taylor Jenkins. A former assistant in Milwaukee under Mike Budenholzer, Jenkins was head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2019-25.
Broadcast Information (Where to Watch and Listen to Pacers Games >>)
TV: DAZN – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
The Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to host LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers.
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