The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 126-112 in a game filled with notable achievements and injury concerns. The highlight? Tyrese Haliburton breaking the Pacers’ single-season assist record.
The game wasn’t without its challenges, as injuries impacted both teams, shifting the dynamics of the contest.
Ultimately, the Pacers’ victory marks their 9th win in the last 14 games, solidifying their position as a team to watch this NBA season. Let’s dive into the highlights of the OKC vs Pacers showdown.
Haliburton’s Historic Assist Performance
Tyrese Haliburton had a night for the record books, dishing out 11 assists and breaking Mark Jackson’s single-season assist record for the Pacers. Jackson’s record had stood for a long time, so this was quite an achievement.
Indiana coach Rick Carlisle seems to think Haliburton’s true value goes beyond points. “Haliburton should never be defined by whether he’s getting a certain number of points,” Carlisle said. “He’s a guy who’s a master at facilitating for his teammates.”
Game Highlights and Key Performances
The Pacers’ offense was firing on all cylinders last night, shooting 52% from the field and sinking 15 three-pointers. Pascal Siakam led the way with 21 points, followed by Aaron Nesmith with 17. T.J. McConnell and Myles Turner each chipped in 16 points.
Lu Dort topped the Thunder’s scoring chart with 22 points, while Kenrich Williams put up 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Josh Giddey nearly had a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds.
Despite their efforts, the Thunder struggled with turnovers, committing 15 in total. They shot a respectable 49% from the field, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Indiana’s hot shooting.
Injuries and bench play
Both the Thunder and the Pacers have been dealing with injuries to key players. Asked about recovery timelines, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, “Those are injuries that basically the timetable is dictated by how they respond to the recovery and that whole process.”
The Pacers’ bench came up big in Friday night’s game. T.J. McConnell, who had 10 assists and five rebounds, said of his teammates, “We got a great group. I feel like our bench really has an identity.”
Closing Thoughts
The Pacers’ win over the Thunder, fueled by Haliburton’s record-breaking performance and overshadowed by key injuries, told the story of this game. For the Pacers, it’s onward to the playoffs. The Thunder now need to address those injury concerns to keep their season alive.