The matchup between the NBA's two least successful teams turned out to be more competitive than many might have expected, with the Pacers narrowly edging out the Pelicans 127-119. But here's where it gets controversial: some critics might say these teams are simply at the bottom, and wins in such games don't prove much—yet for the players involved, moments like these are a big deal, especially in a league where confidence can be hard to come by.
On Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indiana’s own Jay Huff made headlines with a career-best 29-point performance, guiding the Pacers to victory. This game also marked their first time this season they scored as many as 73 points in a single half, demonstrating a powerful offensive surge early in the game. Meanwhile, the Pelicans, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, only managed to slightly challenge the Pacers in the second half but ultimately fell short.
All-Star forward Pascal Siakam contributed significantly for New Orleans, putting up 27 points, collecting six rebounds, and dishing out five assists. On the Pacers’ side, guard Andrew Nembhard added 19 points and 10 assists, showcasing his playmaking skills. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with a solid performance, tallying 27 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.
Now, let’s dive into three key observations from this game.
1. Jay Huff's Career Night with a Flaw
Jay Huff has shown flashes of potential this season, scoring exactly 20 points on three separate occasions. However, each time he hit that 20-point mark, something seemed to hold him back—such as during a game against the Celtics, where he scored 20 points up to the third quarter but didn't attempt a shot in the entire fourth quarter, leaving him stranded at that number.
But on Friday, Huff finally broke through, delivering his highest scoring game of the season—and of his career—at 29 points. He demonstrated a versatile offensive arsenal: hitting three three-pointers and converting a remarkable nine of 17 shots overall. What made his performance even more impressive was how effectively he scored closer to the basket—nine of his nine made shots were from within five feet—capitalizing on the defensive attention towards Pascal Siakam to get easy dunks and layups. Huff also showcased his speed and energy in transition, running the floor hard and creating scoring opportunities for himself that way.
However, Huff's night wasn’t perfect. He missed an opportunity for an easy reverse dunk in the third quarter, attempting a complicated move instead of simply finishing. He had a clean lane for a dunk but decided to twist his body at the last second, losing control of the ball. Despite that slip-up, he redeemed himself by executing a more straightforward reverse dunk shortly afterward. This episode highlights how even breakout performances may include moments of youthful risk-taking that don’t always pay off.
2. A Historic First Half Seals the Deal for the Pacers
The Pacers rode the wave of their most potent offensive half of the season, setting the tone early and maintaining pressure throughout the game. Their first-quarter explosion of 31 points was followed by a 42-point second quarter—matching their highest scoring quarter of the year. In total, they amassed 73 points before halftime, surpassing their previous high of 72 points in a half against the Nuggets back in December.
Their shooting was highly efficient: hitting 30 of 55 field goals (about 55%) and 11 of 22 three-pointers. They also kept turnovers minimal, giving the ball away just twice in the period, which contributed to their solid point-per-possession average of approximately 1.40. Dominance on the glass was evident as they out-rebounded the Pelicans and scored heavily in the paint (36-30) and on second-chance opportunities (10-2). Notably, Pascal Siakam scored 20 of his 27 points in the first half, and Huff contributed 18 of his 29 points during that same period, underscoring the team’s balanced offensive effort from multiple players.
3. T.J. McConnell Joins the Elite Assisting Club
Veteran point guard T.J. McConnell made a significant mark by becoming only the second player in NBA history to reach 3,000 career assists coming solely from his time as a reserve. Lou Williams, renowned for his scoring off the bench, finished his 17-year career with 3,262 assists, all off the bench. McConnell, now in his 11th NBA season, is rapidly closing in, adding to his assist total with two early in the game before finishing with nine assists and just one turnover.
McConnell’s game was instrumental in preventing the Pelicans from mounting a comeback, as he used his steady ball-handling and sharpshooting from mid-range to keep the offense flowing—scoring eight points on 4-for-8 shooting, all from shots between 6 and 18 feet. His ability to distribute and run the team smoothly off the bench exemplifies how vital role players are in competitive basketball.
In the end, while some might dismiss this game as a clash of two struggling teams, the individual performances and historic milestones achieved here paint a different picture. It raises a provocative question: do such games truly lack significance simply because the standings are less glamorous? Or do they reveal the raw, unpredictable nature of the sport—and the potential in players who refuse to give up? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you see value in these bottom-tier battles, or are they just filler in the season’s story?
