October 29, 2026 at 3:15 AM UTC

Postgame Report

Short-handed Pacers fall to full-strength Sixers, 114-109

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Philadelphia got its whole starting five to Indianapolis and held off a Pacers team that played without Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Haliburton went into Wednesday night listed as questionable with left hamstring tightness and soreness, and he did not play. Indiana had to run its offense without him against Philadelphia and lost 114-109 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It was a five-point game at the end, close enough that the Pacers will wonder what a healthy lead guard might have changed.

Andrew Nembhard was the other 50/50 call, with a neck issue, and he played 35 minutes. He finished with 18 points and 14 assists, which kept the backcourt from being a total loss. Ivica Zubac, Johnny Furphy, TJ McConnell and Ben Sheppard were all out, so the Pacers were thin at both ends of the floor. Quenton Jackson added six assists in 14 minutes.

The players who had been given a good chance to suit up did, and they were useful. Aaron Nesmith started and scored 18. Obi Toppin came off the bench for 13 points and six rebounds, and Jalen Slawson and Braden Smith got minutes behind them. Pascal Siakam did most of the heavy lifting with 26 points and 11 rebounds, a double-double that wasn't enough.

Philadelphia, which has had availability trouble early in the year, had its first five together. VJ Edgecombe was back after coming off the injury report and had 8 points and 7 rebounds in 29 minutes. Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 27, and Joel Embiid played a game-high 39 minutes for 21 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylen Brown had 20 and 10, LeBron James had 13 points and 10 assists, and Anfernee Simons gave them 20 off the bench.

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