MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In an electrifying comeback, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points along with eight rebounds and three blocks, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a 136-121 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. The Grizzlies managed to overcome a significant 19-point deficit from the first half, marking their sixth consecutive win this season.
Ja Morant contributed significantly with 19 points and eight assists, while both Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane added 16 points each, showcasing the depth of the Memphis roster.
On the other side, Bennedict Mathurin was the standout for the Pacers, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Indiana had six players reach double digits, with Pascal Siakam netting 17 points and delivering six assists, while Obi Toppin chipped in 16 points along with eight rebounds.
The Pacers received a boost as starting guard Andrew Nembhard returned from a 14-game absence due to left knee inflammation. Nembhard made a notable impact in the first half with 14 points, helping Indiana secure a commanding lead. However, he did not return for the second half as his minutes were managed carefully.
**Key Observations**
For Indiana, the first half was particularly strong as they shot an impressive 60%, leading to their highest first-half scoring this season with 68 points. Unfortunately for them, they struggled to maintain that momentum after halftime.
Conversely, the Grizzlies faced early shooting issues but found their groove in the second half, finishing the game with 53% shooting overall, including a respectable 16 of 46 from beyond the arc.
**Defining Moment**
Memphis began to close the gap in the second half, outscoring Indiana 40-23 in the third quarter, spearheaded by the efforts of Morant and Jaylen Wells.
**Stat Highlight**
Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton, who had been averaging 25.5 points in his previous four games, faced a challenging night, managing only eight points with a shooting percentage of 30%.
**Looking Ahead**
The Indiana Pacers will be facing the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night, while the Memphis Grizzlies are set to take on the Dallas Mavericks the same evening.
