The Indiana Pacers erased an early deficit and closed strong in the fourth quarter to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 115-110 on Wednesday night at Barclays Center, ending the home team’s brief momentum and securing a second straight win.
Jarace Walker led the scoring with 23 points, attacking mismatches and finishing efficiently inside, while rookie guard Kam Jones delivered the decisive moment with a go-ahead three-pointer with 16 seconds remaining. Indiana improved execution late, outscoring Brooklyn 31-20 in the final quarter after trailing most of the night.
The Pacers played without eight key contributors, including Pascal Siakam, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Ivica Zubac, forcing the rotation to rely on energy lineups and ball movement. Despite the absences, Indiana finished with 29 assists and limited turnovers to 10, a key difference against a Nets team that committed 16 giveaways.
Micah Potter added 19 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and scoring 14 after halftime as Indiana emphasized interior touches and second-chance opportunities. Ethan Thompson chipped in 15 points, helping stabilize the offense when Brooklyn controlled tempo early.
The Nets built a 31-18 lead after one quarter and entered halftime ahead 64-53, fueled by transition scoring and perimeter shooting. Nolan Traore paced Brooklyn with 20 points and eight assists, while Day’Ron Sharpe posted a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double that gave the hosts an edge on the glass.
Ziaire Williams matched Sharpe’s scoring output with 19 points, hitting five three-pointers to stretch the defense, but the Nets struggled to generate clean looks in the final minutes. Brooklyn shot 45 percent overall and 42 percent from three but could not overcome late turnovers and defensive breakdowns.
Indiana’s adjustment came through faster pace and spacing, allowing Walker and Potter to attack rotating defenders as the Nets’ bench units struggled to maintain defensive structure. The visitors also closed possessions with physical rebounding, finishing with 42 boards despite Brooklyn’s size advantage.
The victory followed an overtime win over the New York Knicks the night before, giving the Pacers consecutive victories after a four-game losing streak. Indiana remains near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings at 15-40 but showed improved late-game execution heading into the All-Star break.
Brooklyn, now 15-38, saw its two-game winning streak end and continues to search for consistency in the rotation. Both teams return to action Thursday, Feb. 19, with the Pacers visiting Washington and the Nets traveling to Cleveland.
