10/21/2026 10:10:00
Printable Page
10/21 22:08 CDT Siakam and Haliburton lead the Pacers past the Pelicans, 123-120
Siakam and Haliburton lead the Pacers past the Pelicans, 123-120
By PETER FINNEY JR.
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) --- Pascal Siakam scored 30 points, including 12 in the final
quarter, Tyrese Haliburton added 23 points and 12 assists in his first
regular-season game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon 16 months ago and
the Indiana Pacers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120 on Wednesday night.
With Indiana trailing 92-86 entering the fourth, Haliburton took charge in the
fourth quarter, scoring eight of Indiana's 10 points in a 90-second span to
erase a 101-93 Pelicans lead. The Pacers outscored New Orleans 15-3 to take a
108-104 edge.
Zion Williamson, who had 22 points, tied the game at 116 on a driving layup and
foul shot, but Haliburton scored on power moves on the next two trips down the
court, and Indiana took a 121-118 lead and closed out the game with a pair of
free throws by Quenton Jackson.
Obi Toppin added 20 points for Indiana, and Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 14
rebounds. Andrew Nembhard scored 18 points.
Dejounte Murray scored 23 points for the Pelicans, and Yves Missi had 13 points
and 14 rebounds.
Williamson took only four 3-pointers all last season and made just one. But in
offseason practices, he worked on expanding his shooting range, although most
of his attention was on mid-range jumpers.
Left open by the Pacers late in the second quarter, Williamson stepped behind
the arc and nailed back-to-back 3s from the right and left wings.
The Pacers jumped out to a 38-31 first-quarter lead on 59% shooting, but the
Pelicans held Indiana to 33% shooting in a 35-18 second quarter that gave New
Orleans a 66-56 lead, capped by Williamson's long-range jumper at the buzzer.
Williamson scored the final eight points of the half.
Up next
Pacers: Host Milwaukee on Friday night.
Pelicans: Visit Utah on Friday night.
___
See AP's full NBA coverage here
|
