The Indiana Pacers neutralized a significant setback when star center Ivica Zubac suffered a left ankle sprain in the first quarter, responding with a dominant 136-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Despite a choppy opening period that saw the Nets compete, the Pacers regrouped to outscore Brooklyn 78 points across the second and third quarters, establishing a decisive lead that never wavered. This performance marks a crucial momentum shift for Indiana, who improved to 2-1 on the season, snapping a slow start that saw them wait until November 19 to secure their second win of the 2025-26 campaign. Meanwhile, the Nets dropped to 0-3, deepening their early-season struggles.
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Tyrese Haliburton anchored the Pacers’ offense with a versatile 24 points and 10 assists, distributing the ball effectively to keep Brooklyn’s defense off balance. Forward Pascal Siakam provided critical scoring support with 21 points, helping to sustain the Pacers’ offensive rhythm during the pivotal second-half run. The team’s ability to adjust on the fly following Zubac’s injury highlighted their depth and resilience, as they transitioned seamlessly into a new lineup configuration without losing their intensity or focus.
The game also served as a turning point for backup center Jay Huff, who had faced uncertainty regarding his role after limited minutes in the first two games. Having played all 82 games last season, Huff was benched entirely in the opener against New Orleans and played just five minutes against Dallas, raising questions about his standing behind Larry Nance Jr. However, his performance in this rout signaled a reassertion of his value to the roster, proving he remains a vital component of head coach Rick Carlisle’s defensive and rebounding strategy despite the early-season roster fluctuations.
Source: Yahoo Sports
