Short-handed Pacers grind out victory against Raptors during Pascal Siakam tribute evening.
Great news for Pacers supporters: Indiana is back to winning ways, and they achieved it in a thrilling fashion. Ahead of their clash with the Toronto Raptors, the Pacers were in dire need of a victory, especially after suffering one of their worst losses of the season to the Charlotte Hornets just two nights prior.
Unfortunately, Indiana faced some adversity at the start of the game, missing key players like Bennedict Mathurin, Myles Turner, and Jalen Smith. This forced Isaiah Jackson into only his third start of the season and 30th of his career.
Despite the rough start, the mood lightened during the Pascal Siakam tributes at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors paid homage to Siakam with a heartfelt video showcasing his career, which was warmly received by the player himself. Additionally, a large portion of the crowd wore Siakam’s iconic number 43 jersey, demonstrating their respect for the longtime Raptor.
Onto the game, Indiana initially struggled, displaying a lack of urgency similar to their previous match against Charlotte. While their offensive performance was decent, shooting 46% from the field and 41% from three, the Raptors outperformed them, shooting 57% from the field and nearly 42% from beyond the arc.
However, Indiana improved defensively in the second half, holding the Raptors to lower shooting percentages. Despite facing injuries, including Aaron Nesmith’s early departure due to a lower leg issue, the Pacers rallied, with Pascal Siakam stepping up his performance in the second half and particularly in the fourth quarter, leading the team to victory.
