Brooklyn, NY— Tyrese Haliburton delivered an impressive performance Sunday night, recording 24 points and 10 assists while providing a highlight worthy of an All-Star showcase as the Indiana Pacers rolled past the Brooklyn Nets 136-109.
Indiana’s offense was clicking throughout the contest, with the Pacers shooting 58% from the field and knocking down 21 of 43 attempts from three-point range. Their efficient shooting and explosive second and third quarters helped them pull away after a competitive opening period.
Haliburton, who missed last season while recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon, looked sharp in his return to action. He made eight of 13 shots from the field while directing an Indiana attack that consistently found open looks and punished Brooklyn’s defensive lapses.
Pascal Siakam added 21 points, while Obi Toppin contributed 16 off the bench to give the Pacers another scoring option. Brooklyn received 17 points from reserve guard Nolan Traore, but the Nets fell to 0-3 to open the season.
Pacers seize control after slow start
Brooklyn held a narrow two-point advantage at the end of the first quarter, but Indiana quickly changed the momentum in the second.
The Pacers outscored the Nets 41-30 in the period, taking a 65-56 lead into halftime. Indiana shot 58% overall in the first half and connected on 42% of its three-point attempts, establishing the offensive rhythm that would carry into the second half.
Rather than allowing Brooklyn to regain its footing after the break, Indiana came out aggressively in the third quarter. The Pacers poured in 37 points while limiting the Nets to 24, extending their advantage to 98-74 heading into the final period.
The third-quarter surge effectively put the game out of reach and allowed Indiana to maintain control through the closing minutes.
Haliburton delivers the night’s signature moment
Haliburton supplied the game’s most memorable highlight during the third quarter, showcasing the athleticism and creativity that have made him one of Indiana’s key playmakers.
With 7:17 remaining in the period, Julius Randle lost control of the ball near the top of the three-point arc. Aaron Nesmith dove to keep the loose ball alive before Siakam collected it and spotted Haliburton with open space ahead.
Haliburton took the opportunity to put on a show. Near the free-throw line, he bounced the ball to himself and elevated for a powerful two-handed dunk, drawing an enthusiastic reaction from his teammates.
The play energized Indiana and highlighted Haliburton’s growing confidence after the lengthy rehabilitation process that kept him out of action last season.
His contribution went beyond the spectacular finish. Haliburton controlled the tempo, created opportunities for teammates and helped the Pacers sustain their offensive pressure against a Brooklyn defense that struggled to contain them.
Brooklyn faces early-season challenges
The Nets had difficulty matching Indiana’s shooting efficiency and offensive production, particularly after halftime. Their inability to slow the Pacers’ scoring runs allowed the visitors to build a comfortable advantage.
Traore led Brooklyn’s bench with 17 points, but the Nets dropped their third consecutive game to begin the season. They will need a stronger defensive effort and more consistent scoring to reverse their early struggles.
Brooklyn also dealt with an injury concern involving Ivica Zubac, who left the game with a sprained left ankle with 4:57 remaining in the first quarter. Zubac injured the ankle after stepping on Kelly Oubre’s foot while pursuing a rebound and did not continue.
What’s next:
Indiana will look to carry its offensive momentum into Monday night’s road matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Brooklyn will attempt to secure its first victory of the season when it visits the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.
