Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers (18-18) to a decisive 126-108 victory over the Phoenix Suns (15-18) on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Haliburton tallied 27 points, eight assists, and went turnover-free for the second consecutive game, while Myles Turner contributed 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks.
The Pacers turned a 56-56 halftime deadlock into a commanding lead, fueled by a season-highlight 40-point third quarter. Indiana’s offensive cohesion was evident, with the team recording 35 assists on 46 made shots and committing just six turnovers. They also outrebounded Phoenix 47-37.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Devin Booker added 20 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. However, the Suns’ struggles continued, losing seven of their last eight games. Bradley Beal’s eight-point performance on 3-of-12 shooting further highlighted Phoenix’s offensive challenges.
Indiana’s bench provided crucial contributions, with Obi Toppin scoring 12 points and Ben Sheppard adding 10. The Pacers’ defense, anchored by Turner and supported by consistent rebounding from Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam, stifled the Suns in key stretches.
Phoenix shot 48.7% from the field, narrowly edging Indiana’s 47.9%, but the Pacers’ three-point shooting (37.5%) and efficiency at the free-throw line (90.5%) gave them the upper hand. The Suns, despite their star power, struggled to generate consistent stops, allowing Indiana to pull away in the second half.
