Tyrese Haliburton helps Pacers draw away from Clippers

Field Level Media|published: Sun 23rd February, 20:02 2025

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Indiana Pacers

Feb 23, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) passes the ball between his legs in the second half against the LA Clippers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Tyrese Haliburton's 29-point, 12-assist double-double led a balanced offensive effort, and the Indiana Pacers led wire-to-wire in their 129-111 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday in Indianapolis.

Seven Pacers scored in double figures, including 19 points from Aaron Nesmith and 17 from Myles Turner. Pascal Siakam posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Andrew Nembhard rounded out the Indiana starting five's collective scoring effort with 12 points.

The Pacers weathered a monster start from James Harden, who was in on all of Los Angeles' first 20 points either through scoring or assists. He rode his hot start to a game-high 31 points. Harden also dished a team-high 11 assists and grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds.

Ivica Zubac added 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor, but the Clippers struggled to find consistent offense with stars Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard both sidelined.

Powell missed his second straight game on the Clippers' eight-game road swing, scratched late due to a knee injury. Los Angeles' leading scorer on the season, Powell also missed the loss at Milwaukee on Thursday. Leonard sat Sunday with foot soreness.

Siakam helped ignite an Indiana run coming out of halftime, scoring a quick five points to open the third quarter. The surge pushed an 11-point Pacers lead to 16, and Indiana maintained an advantage of at least 13 points the rest of the way.

T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin came off the Pacers' bench to contribute 13 and 10 points, while Bennedict Mathurin chipped in eight. McConnell shot 5-of-5 from the floor and Toppin added six assists and five rebounds.

McConnell scored seven of his points in a burst lasting less than two minutes early in the second, helping Indiana build a 10-point lead.

For Los Angeles, Amir Coffey scored 14 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 11 points off the bench. Ben Simmons notched another eight points and MarJon Beauchamp recorded nine points off the bench in the loss.

--Field Level Media

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