The Indiana Pacers fell to the Grizzlies 136-121 in a high-scoring contest Dec. 1 at FedEx Forum in Memphis.
Despite a solid first-quarter performance, the Pacers could not maintain their momentum, permitting Memphis to overwhelm Indiana in the second half.
The win marks the Grizzlies’ 14th season victory while the Pacers fall to 9-12.
Indiana surged to an 18-point lead in the opening frame, powered by an efficient start. Obi Toppin led the charge early with nine points. Myles Turner contributed eight points, including two three-pointers. The Pacers shot an impressive 63% from the field in the first quarter, closing the period ahead 45-28.
Head coach Taylor Jenkins spoke about what changed in the second quarter.
“It was definitely not a great showing in the first quarter,” Jenkins said. “We just didn’t have our game legs going. We weren’t playing with the pace we needed to. I had some good conversations … guys got dialed in, they were staying together and I loved their response. Our defensive effort really picked up.”
The game shifted in the second quarter as the Grizzlies’ defense tightened. Memphis outscored Indiana 34-23 in the period, led by Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored six points while anchoring the Grizzlies’ defense.
The Pacers struggled to find rhythm, committing turnovers and shooting 47.6% from the field in the quarter.
Memphis took complete control after halftime.
A dominant 40-point third quarter propelled Memphis into the lead. Jaylen Wells and Jackson Jr. combined for 18 points during the frame, with Wells hitting two three-pointers that supercharged the home crowd. The Grizzlies capitalized on the Pacers’ 15 total turnovers, converting them into 15 points.
Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 19 points, while Pascal Siakam added 17. Despite this, their efforts were overshadowed by Memphis’ balanced scoring. Jackson Jr. finished with a game-high 25 points, while Ja Morant and Desmond Bane chipped in 19 and 16 respectively.
Tyrese Haliburton finished the contest with eight points and seven assists.
The Pacers travel to Canada for their next matchup, taking on the Toronto Raptors in an NBA Cup game, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Dec. 3.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more sports, click here.
