SAN FRANCISCO — In an exciting matchup on Monday night, Myles Turner hit a crucial 3-pointer from the top of the arc with just 16 seconds to go, finishing the game with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Pascal Siakam also made significant contributions, adding 20 points to help the Indiana Pacers secure a 111-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors, marking their fifth consecutive win.
Jonathan Kuminga made an impact off the bench for the Warriors, recording 26 points and eight rebounds. However, star player Stephen Curry had a tough night, ending with only 10 points on a 2-for-13 shooting performance. He struggled initially, missing his first five attempts before finally scoring a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left in the third quarter. Curry also had a chance to give his team the lead late in the game but missed another 3-point attempt with 47 seconds on the clock.
Indiana has now won six of its last seven games, having wrapped up a successful back-to-back after a dominating 122-95 win against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Curry’s slow start was notable as he didn’t take his first shot until just over 10 minutes into the second quarter, only breaking the scoreless drought with two free throws at the 9:51 mark.
The Warriors took time before the game to remember baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, who passed away at 65 just three days prior, with both a moment of silence and a tribute displayed on the big screen.
Some key observations include the fact that the Pacers remain undefeated at the Chase Center, boasting a perfect 6-0 record there. For the Warriors, Gary Payton II missed his first game of the season due to a bruised left calf, making Buddy Hield the only player to participate in every game thus far. Moses Moody, meanwhile, made a comeback after sitting out four games due to a knee injury.
A critical moment in the game occurred when Golden State successfully challenged a foul against Draymond Green, avoiding what would have been his third personal foul with 7:29 remaining in the second quarter. The review determined that the foul had actually been committed by Andrew Wiggins.
In terms of bench performance, the Warriors’ reserves played a vital role in keeping the team in the game, contributing a total of 53 points, with Hield scoring 13 of those against his former team.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will face LeBron James and the Lakers on Wednesday, marking the NBA superstar’s record-breaking 19th Christmas Day game. Meanwhile, the Pacers are set to return home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.
