In a nail-biting finish, the Indiana Pacers (28-20) held off a late charge from the Utah Jazz (11-37), securing a 112-111 victory on Monday night. Pascal Siakam led the charge for the Pacers, scoring 10 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to push his team to a fourth straight win.
Siakam’s fourth-quarter performance helped Indiana overcome a rough shooting night, particularly from beyond the arc. The Pacers shot just 23.8% from three-point range, relying instead on fast breaks and interior scoring to fuel their comeback.
Tyrese Haliburton also made a key contribution, finishing with 18 points and six assists. Indiana had to play without Myles Turner, who was scratched due to an ankle injury shortly before the game. Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith each added 13 points, with Nesmith grabbing seven rebounds and Toppin providing a solid bench boost.
Despite leading by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter, the Jazz couldn’t close out the game. John Collins and Jordan Clarkson both had 21 points, but Utah’s youth showed down the stretch. Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George combined for 27 points and 21 assists, but costly turnovers and missed opportunities allowed the Pacers to pull away.
The Jazz had a strong start and maintained a slim lead throughout most of the game. With 6:52 remaining, Collier’s three-pointer gave Utah a 101-89 advantage. However, a 23-10 run by the Pacers turned the tide, with Indiana outscoring Utah in the final minutes.
The game’s turning point came with less than 10 seconds to play. After Lauri Markkanen missed two critical free throws, the Jazz were forced to foul. Andrew Nembhard found Siakam for a wide-open dunk, giving the Pacers a 112-108 lead with just 5.1 seconds remaining.
Utah outrebounded Indiana 60-37, led by Walker Kessler’s 13 rebounds, but the Pacers’ ability to create fast-break points proved decisive. Indiana forced 19 turnovers and scored 26 fast-break points compared to just 11 for the Jazz.
Collin Sexton’s injury early in the game also hampered Utah’s offense. He sprained his left ankle in the opening minutes and did not return. The Jazz had to rely on their rookies and bench players for the remainder of the game, and their inexperience showed.
