Pacers Suffer Another Blow as Pelicans Dominate in 128-106 Loss
The Indiana Pacers faced a daunting challenge on Saturday night, succumbing to a 128-106 defeat against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. From the opening tip-off, the Pacers were overwhelmed, allowing a staggering 44 points in the first quarter. This early onslaught set the tone for a game that quickly spiraled out of their control, leaving the Pacers unable to mount a significant comeback.
Slow Start Haunts the Pacers
Indiana’s sluggish start was particularly alarming, as they found themselves digging an insurmountable hole almost immediately. The team’s performance against New Orleans marked yet another painful chapter in a week filled with disappointment, having already lost to two rebuilding franchises. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 22 points, but his efforts came through an inefficient shooting night, hitting only 6 of 14 attempts from the field. Johnny Furphy contributed 18 points, benefitting from extended minutes when the game was largely decided. T.J. McConnell also added a solid performance off the bench, scoring 16 points and dishing out eight assists.
Pelicans Finding Their Groove
On the other side, the Pelicans showcased their offensive firepower, with Zion Williamson stealing the spotlight. The star forward netted 29 points in just 23 minutes, exemplifying his ability to impact the game significantly in limited time. Jordan Poole, leading the bench unit, chipped in with 16 points and six assists, while Saddiq Bey added 18 points. Not to be overlooked, both Trey Murphy III and rookie center Derik Queen contributed 17 points each, demonstrating the depth of New Orleans’ roster.
This victory marks a turning point for the Pelicans, who have now strung together four consecutive wins after enduring a dismal stretch that saw them lose seven straight games and post a 3-22 record early in the season. Their recent resurgence indicates a team beginning to find its rhythm, which bodes well for their aspirations moving forward.
Injury Woes Continue for Indiana
For the Pacers, the loss underscores a season marred by injuries and struggles. The absence of key players like Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner has been glaring, highlighting their importance to last year’s playoff-caliber squad. As the team looks to regroup, the immediate focus will be on healing and learning from the game film.
Looking ahead, the Pacers will face a tough test on Monday against the Boston Celtics, featuring stars Jalen Brown and Derek White. The matchup is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden, and fans can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network or stream it via NBA League Pass.
As Indiana continues to wrestle with their challenges, the path to recovery and improvement requires both resilience and introspection.
