The Indiana Pacers leaned on their star trio of Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, and Bennedict Mathurin to secure a 121-114 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
The win marked Indiana’s third consecutive triumph, keeping their momentum strong in a competitive Eastern Conference.
Pascal Siakam delivered a season-high-tying 29 points, stepping up in crucial moments down the stretch. Tyrese Haliburton added 28 points and dished out 10 assists, while Bennedict Mathurin recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. The Pacers’ trio proved unstoppable in crunch time, combining for 21 of Indiana’s 34 fourth-quarter points.
Mathurin’s Spark Reverses a Sluggish Start
The Pacers found themselves in trouble early as Portland came out firing, draining nine 3-pointers in the first half and building a 10-point lead in the second quarter. However, Mathurin’s energy shifted the momentum, as he poured in 13 second-quarter points to bring Indiana level at halftime, 60-60.
The Pacers’ defense tightened in the second half, and their offense came alive, with all three stars contributing in critical moments. Mathurin’s consistency this season has been a major factor for Indiana, with Wednesday marking his eighth 20-point performance in the last 13 games.
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Portland’s Offense Cools in the Second Half
Anfernee Simons led all scorers with 30 points, including six 3-pointers, while Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe added 17 points each for the Trail Blazers. Despite their hot shooting in the first half, Portland struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm after halftime. A late push in the fourth quarter cut Indiana’s lead to just two points, but missed opportunities allowed the Pacers to pull away.
The Blazers’ road struggles continued, dropping them to 3-8 away from home. Portland also fell to 1-2 in NBA Cup play, matching Indiana’s record in the competition.
Key Moments: Siakam Shines Late
With Indiana clinging to a three-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, Siakam stepped up with back-to-back buckets—a clutch 3-pointer followed by a 9-foot jumper—to extend the advantage to 108-100 with just over five minutes remaining. That sequence provided the cushion Indiana needed to close out the game.
Haliburton followed Siakam’s lead, scoring 12 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, including a few key free throws to fend off Portland’s final rally.
Pacers Takeaways
Indiana’s ability to execute offensively down the stretch remains their calling card. Despite defensive lapses in the first half, their potent trio of Siakam, Haliburton, and Mathurin carried the load. The Pacers improved to 7-2 at home, reinforcing their strong play in Indianapolis.
Blazers Takeaways
Portland’s reliance on perimeter shooting showed both its potential and its pitfalls. While their early 3-point barrage kept them in control, second-half shooting woes highlighted their inconsistency. The Blazers’ inability to finish games on the road continues to haunt them, particularly against playoff-caliber opponents like the Pacers.
Key Stat
Mathurin’s offensive surge continues to impress, as he has now scored 20 or more points in eight of Indiana’s last 13 games. His ability to complement Haliburton and Siakam has been vital to the Pacers’ success.
What’s Next?
The Trail Blazers return home to host the Sacramento Kings on Friday, hoping to bounce back from their road woes. Meanwhile, the Pacers look to extend their winning streak when they welcome the Detroit Pistons to Indianapolis the same night.
Indiana’s balanced attack and clutch play from their stars signal a team finding its groove, while Portland will need to regroup quickly to avoid falling further behind in the standings.