PHILADELPHIA — In a significant matchup, Tyrese Haliburton delivered an impressive performance with 32 points and 11 assists as the Indiana Pacers triumphed over the Philadelphia 76ers with a score of 121-107 on Friday evening. The 76ers were forced to continue the second half without their star player Joel Embiid, who suffered a sinus fracture after being struck in the face late in the first quarter.
Embiid was engaged in a battle for position with Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin when he was inadvertently hit by a forearm and elbow to his nose. He immediately collapsed to the floor as the game continued, spending time on the ground near the Philadelphia bench while clutching his face. In his limited time on the court, playing only 17 and a half minutes, Embiid managed to score 12 points, collect four rebounds, and dish out five assists.
Supporting Haliburton’s stellar performance for the Pacers, Pascal Siakam contributed 23 points, while Obi Toppin scored 20 points, with both players pulling down eight rebounds each. On the other side, Tyrese Maxey was the leading scorer for the 76ers with 22 points, and Paul George added 15 to the total.
Upon reviewing the game, the Pacers entered this contest having lost five of their last six games. However, they displayed an athleticism and a level of gameplay that positions them as a potential threat within the Eastern Conference. For the 76ers, the ongoing struggles with injuries add to their woes, particularly with the concerning issues surrounding Embiid, who has a history of injury problems related to his face.
One pivotal moment was when Haliburton established his dominance by scoring four three-pointers in the first quarter, enabling the Pacers to take an early lead of 29-22. Haliburton finished the game with a total of seven shots from beyond the arc, showcasing his shooting prowess.
A noteworthy statistic reveals that this season, the trio of Embiid, Maxey, and George has only shared the court together for over 30 minutes in a single game—this occurred during a victory against Chicago on Sunday.
Looking ahead, the Pacers will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, while the 76ers are set to travel to Charlotte for a matchup on Monday.
