01/23/26 10:12:00
Printable Page
01/23 22:10 CST Andrew Nembhard, Jarace Walker help short-handed Pacers outlast
Thunder 117-114 in Finals rematch
Andrew Nembhard, Jarace Walker help short-handed Pacers outlast Thunder 117-114
in Finals rematch
By TIM WILLERT
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) --- Andrew Nembhard had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and
Jarace Walker added a career-high 26 for the Indiana Pacers, who withstood a
late rally to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-114 on Friday night in a
rematch of last season's NBA Finals.
Walker, whose previous high was 21 points, sank four free throws in the final
10 seconds to lift injury-riddled Indiana (11-35), which snapped a three-game
skid. Pascal Siakam added 21 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points for the NBA-best Thunder, who were
also depleted by injuries with Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex
Caruso among those sidelined. Chet Holmgren added 25 points, 13 rebounds and
three blocks.
It was the second and final meeting this season between the Pacers and Thunder,
whose fortunes have diverged since Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton tore an
Achilles tendon early in Game 7 of last season's NBA finals. Oklahoma City went
on to win its first title and has the league's best record (37-9), although the
Thunder have slowed after a 24-1 start.
Oklahoma City trailed 113-103 with 2:35 remaining but pulled within 115-114 on
a pair of free throws by Gilgeous-Alexander with 7.8 seconds left. After two
free throws by Walker, the Thunder's Isaiah Joe missed a 3-pointer with 3
seconds remaining.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, made 17 of 28 field goals and all 12 free
throws, and he scored nine points in the final 2 minutes.
The Pacers were missing Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), Obi Toppin (ankle) and
Quenton Jackson (ankle).
Nembhard scored eight points in the first quarter and eight more in the second.
His 3-pointer gave Indiana a 47-30 advantage. But Oklahoma City chipped away
with a 23-11 run that featured two 3s by Cason Wallace to get within 58-53 at
halftime.
Up next
Pacers: Visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
Thunder: Host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
|
