INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton put on an impressive performance with 29 points and 12 assists, marking his 16th double-double of the season. Aaron Nesmith also had a standout game, scoring a season-high 19 points, helping the Indiana Pacers secure a 129-111 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Haliburton was particularly explosive in the third quarter, where he contributed 17 points to push the Pacers (32-23) to a significant 101-83 lead. The All-Star point guard exhibited great shooting accuracy, going 9 of 14 from the field, including four successful three-pointers.
The Pacers, boasting the best record in the NBA so far this season at 16-5, had a strong showing with seven players reaching double digits in scoring. Myles Turner made a notable return after missing three games, scoring 17 points in the first half alone.
On the other hand, the shorthanded Clippers (31-25) were missing their top scorer Norman Powell due to left knee soreness and their third-leading scorer Kawhi Leonard due to foot issues. While Powell averages 24.2 points per game and Leonard adds 16.9, their absence was felt significantly during the match.
This situation opened up more opportunities for veteran All-Star James Harden, who took on a larger offensive role. He delivered, finishing the game with 31 points and 11 assists while shooting 9 of 17, including six three-pointers. Ivica Zubac added 22 points to the team’s efforts.
Takeaways from this matchup reveal that the Clippers have struggled with Leonard playing only 16 games this season, and the absence of Powell left them lacking in offensive options, which became glaringly apparent as they fell behind. Meanwhile, the Pacers are in an excellent position to gain momentum, enjoying a three-game winning streak and two more home games scheduled this week. Moreover, Turner’s return from a cervical strain injury is a significant boost for the team.
A key moment of the game came when Haliburton hit three consecutive three-pointers during the third quarter, helping extend the Pacers’ lead to 90-69. In that pivotal quarter, Indiana outperformed Los Angeles by making 13 of 20 shots, scoring 35-28 over the period. The Pacers concluded the game with a shooting percentage of 54.8%, making 46 of their 84 attempts.
Looking ahead, the Clippers will play against Detroit on Monday, while the Pacers will host the Denver Nuggets on the same day.
