Pacers Rally Past Pelicans 123-120 Behind Siakam’s 30 Points

The Indiana Pacers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120 on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Smoothie King Center, with Pascal Siakam leading all scorers with 30 points. Tyrese Haliburton added 23 points and 12 assists as Indiana overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to win its regular-season opener on the road.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Pacers Open With 38 Points

Indiana established an early advantage by outscoring New Orleans 38-31 in the opening period. That seven-point cushion gave the Pacers a productive start, though the Pelicans reversed the direction of the game in the second quarter.

Second Quarter: Pelicans Take a 10-Point Halftime Lead

New Orleans outscored Indiana 35-18 in the second period, turning a seven-point deficit into a 66-56 halftime lead. The 17-point quarterly margin was the largest for either team in the game and left Indiana needing a substantial second-half response.

Third Quarter: Indiana Narrows the Gap

The Pacers regained their offensive rhythm with a 30-point third quarter, while the Pelicans scored 26. New Orleans still led 92-86 entering the fourth, but Indiana had reduced the deficit to six points.

Fourth Quarter: A 37-Point Finish Secures the Win

Indiana outscored New Orleans 37-28 over the final 12 minutes to complete the comeback in regulation. The Pacers finished with a 67-54 second-half advantage, enough to turn their halftime deficit into a three-point victory.

Key Performers

• Pascal Siakam, Pacers: Led all scorers with 30 points, providing Indiana’s highest individual scoring total.
• Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers: Recorded a double-double with 23 points and a game-high 12 assists.
• Ivica Zubac, Pacers: Collected 14 rebounds to lead Indiana and share the game high.
• Dejounte Murray, Pelicans: Led New Orleans with 23 points and seven assists while adding three blocks.
• Yves Missi, Pelicans: Matched Zubac with 14 rebounds as New Orleans finished with the team advantage on the boards.

NerdSports Stat: Indiana outscored New Orleans 76-56 on two-point baskets, a 20-point advantage that offset the Pelicans’ combined 17-point edge from free throws and 3-pointers.

Game Analysis: Two-Point Efficiency Makes the Difference

Indiana’s shooting efficiency ultimately separated the teams. The Pacers made 47 of 90 field-goal attempts, shooting 52.2%, compared with New Orleans’ 38-for-89 performance at 42.7%. Indiana also finished with 29 assists to the Pelicans’ 23, with Haliburton accounting for 12 of those assists.

The clearest advantage came inside the 3-point line. Indiana converted 38 of 60 two-point attempts, or 63.3%, while New Orleans made 28 of 59, or 47.5%. The Pacers did not need a superior perimeter shooting night: they went 9-for-30 from deep, while the Pelicans finished 10-for-30.

New Orleans kept the margin close through rebounding and free throws. The Pelicans won the rebounding comparison 50-42 and made 34 of 37 foul shots, an excellent 91.9%. Indiana went 20-for-29 at the line, leaving the visitors with a 14-point disadvantage in free-throw scoring.

Those strengths put New Orleans in position to win, but the Pelicans could not preserve their halftime advantage. Indiana’s 37-point fourth quarter proved decisive after its 18-point second period had created the need for a comeback.

Closing Context: Indiana Starts 1-0

The Pacers opened the season 1-0 overall and 1-0 on the road, while the Pelicans fell to 0-1 overall and at home. Both teams return to action Friday, October 23: Indiana faces the Dallas Mavericks at 4:00 p.m. PDT, and New Orleans faces the Utah Jazz at 6:30 p.m. PDT. Indiana leaves its opener with a successful second-half recovery; New Orleans has a late-game defensive performance to improve despite strong rebounding and free-throw shooting.

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