Indiana Pacers 113 – Brooklyn Nets 99 (Jan. 6th, 2025) Game Recap

Source: Luke Hales / Getty

(BROOKLYN, NY) – For the first time since game one, the Indiana Pacers (19-18) are over .500 with a 113-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets (13-23) Monday night.

1. First Quarter

Slow starts have plagued the Indiana Pacers are various points in the season, and the last time they faced Brooklyn, the Pacers only scored 17 points in the opening quarter. Tonight, Indiana quickly jumped out to a 7-2 lead after a Tyrese Haliburton three. With 4:24 left in the first period, Jalen Wilson’s putback gave the Brooklyn Nets their first lead at 14-13. Indiana’s largest deficit in the quarter was three points at 18-15. Indiana would close the final 3:06 by outscoring the Nets 9-4. T.J. McConnell’s field goal with 2.7 seconds left in the period gave Indiana a 24-22 lead after twelve minutes. Myles Turner led all scorers in the first with 7 points. Brooklyn’s leading scorer was Tyrese Martin with 6 points. Indiana struggled beyond the arc, shooting 2/7 (28.6%). Brooklyn was able to stay in the game because of ten second chance points off seven offensive rebounds.

2. Second Quarter

The second quarter was much better for Indiana offensively and defensively. A Reece Beekman three for Brooklyn brought the Nets within a point after a McConnell reverse layup to start the quarter. Indiana would then score eight consecutive points to take a 34-25 lead with a Jarace Walker slam. With 6:16 left in the half, Indiana’s lead reached double figures for the first time, courtesy of a three from Myles Turner. The Nets cut their deficit down to six points with a Noah Clowney three with 3:35 remaining in the half. Rick Carlisle’s team would close the half on a 12-2 run to lead 55-39 at intermission. Indiana received seven points from Haliburton and five points from Bennedict Mathurin. In the quarter, Mathurin made all four of his shots and led the team in scoring with 9 points. Indiana’s leading scorer at the break was Mathurin with 11 points. Brooklyn’s leading scorers at halftime were Ziaire Williams and Tyrese Martin with 8 points. In the first half, Indiana was -3 on the glass and allowed 14 second chance points on nine offensive rebounds.

3. Third Quarter

Indiana’s run to end the first half carried over to the start of the third quarter. The Pacers scored the first four points of the second half and nine of the first eleven points in the third quarter. Two free-throws from Mathurin pushed Indiana’s advantage to 65-41 with ten minutes left in the quarter. Brooklyn started chipping away at its deficit and eventually made it 67-53 with a 12-2 run. Indiana countered by extending the lead back to twenty points after two Haliburton free-throws. With 5:09 left in the third, the score was 78-58. The Pacers would go scoreless the rest of the way. Brooklyn had all the momentum going into the fourth quarter despite trailing 78-70. Of Indiana’s 23 points, Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 11 points in the quarter. Haliburton chipped in with 8 points, and then Mathurin had the other four points. Brooklyn’s leading scorer was Noah Clowney with 9 points. Indiana shot 31.8% from the field and 2/11 (18.2%) from three-point range. Leading all scorers going into the fourth quarter was Siakam with 19 points.

4. Fourth Quarter

With Indiana reeling going into the final twelve minutes, Indiana needed to make a play to start the quarter, and it came from T.J. McConnell. He forced a turnover four seconds into the period that resulted in a Mathurin three, and then had a three-point play on the following possession for the Pacers. Indiana’s lead was back to eleven points, but the Nets would not go away. Clowney converted two free-throws for Brooklyn with 8:48 left in the game to make it 88-79. Rick Carlisle inserted Haliburton, Toppin, Nembhard, and Turner during the free-throw line visit and it paid off. His team went on a 10-3 surge to take a commanding 17-point advantage with 6:26 left in the contest. Toppin would deliver the dagger with a three-pointer with 4:33 remaining in the game, resulting in Indiana’s lead becoming 105-83. Indiana ended up winning the game 113-99 over the Brooklyn Nets.

5. Top Performers

Tyrese Haliburton (23p, 8a, 2r), Bennedict Mathurin (20p, 3r, 2a), Pascal Siakam (19p, 6r), Obi Toppin (11p, 5r), and Myles Turner (10p, 4a, 3s, 3b). For Brooklyn, Day’Ron Sharpe (16p, 13r, 5a), Tyrese Martin (15p, 5r), Noah Clowney (14p, 4r), Keon Johnson (12p, 5a, 4r, 4s), and Ziaire Williams (10p, 8r, 4a). For tonight’s full box score, click here.

6. Notes

Indiana now 19-18 overall and 10-12 away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- First time over .500 since the first game of the season
- 8-1 in last 9 road games – best record in NBA during that stretch
Indiana is now 1-1 versus Brooklyn in the season series with the final two games of the series at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in March
Indiana’s 14-point victory is the largest margin of victory when outrebounded by 15+ since 2007
Indiana is now 12-2 when Tyrese Haliburton scores 20+ points
Indiana has now held their opponents under 100 points four times this season
- Twice against the Brooklyn Nets
- Only accomplished this feat three times last season
Brooklyn’s 39 first half points are the fewest points scored in a half by an Indiana opponent since November of 2022
Bennedict Mathurin scored 20+ points for the 12th time of the season
Day’Ron Sharpe recorded first double-double of the season
- Sharpe set season highs in points (16), rebounds (13), assists (5)
  - Sharpe’s 5 assists tied a career high
- Pascal Siakam played fewer than 25 minutes for the 3rd time of the season
- Tyrese Haliburton has led the Indiana Pacers in scoring in 5 of the last 6 games

7. Next Up

For just the third time this season, the Indiana Pacers will play back-to-back games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The first game will be against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night and then the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. Coverage for both games will start at 6:30pm with Pat Boylan. Mark Boyle and Eddie Gill will have the play-by-play at 7pm on 93.5/107.5 The Fan