Indiana Pacers Fall To 1-12 On Season Following Toronto Raptors Loss
It appears that the Indiana Pacers are still trying to determine which way the basketball is supposed to go. On Saturday night, in front of a home crowd that must be questioning its life choices, the Pacers were thoroughly dismantled by the Toronto Raptors, 129-111. This loss wasn’t just another tick in the “L” column; it was a continuation of a franchise-worst start, dropping them to a dismal 1-12.
The Raptors, on the other hand, looked like a team that actually enjoys playing basketball. They rolled into Gainbridge Fieldhouse and treated it like their personal practice court, improving their record to a respectable 8-5. It was a classic case of one team playing chess while the other was still trying to open the checkers box.
Another One Bites the Dust: Pacers Can’t Find Their Rhythm
The game was, for lack of a better word, a beatdown. The Raptors didn’t just win; they methodically pulled apart a Pacers team that looked lost, confused, and frankly, a little sad. The final score doesn’t even do justice to the gap in talent and execution on display. Toronto built a comfortable nine-point lead by halftime and then just kept stepping on the gas, stretching the margin to a laughable 26 points at one stage.
For the Pacers, it was the same old song and dance. Pascal Siakam, in his return to face his old squad, tried his best to carry the team on his back. He dropped 30 points, hitting five three-pointers, and probably needed an ice bath for his shoulders afterward. Andrew Nembhard chipped in with 22 points and five assists, but two guys can’t beat a whole team. It’s like bringing a couple of water pistols to a firefight.
The real gut punch for Indiana came before the final buzzer even sounded. Aaron Nesmith went down with a left knee injury and is now expected to miss at least a month. When it rains, it pours, and for the Pacers, it’s a full-blown hurricane season.
Raptors Share the Wealth In Dominant Win
While the Pacers were struggling to find a pulse, the Raptors were having a block party. It was a team effort in the truest sense. RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl were the co-stars of the show, each pouring in 22 points. Poeltl was ridiculously efficient, hitting eight of his nine shots and cleaning up the glass with nine rebounds. It felt like every time he touched the ball near the rim, it was an automatic two points.
The stat sheet for Toronto reads like a well-balanced portfolio. Scottie Barnes, the human Swiss Army knife, did a little bit of everything with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Immanuel Quickley ran the offense smoothly with 12 points and seven assists, while Brandon Ingram added 19 points and three steals, just for good measure. Even the bench got in on the fun, with Sandro Mamukelashvili and Gradey Dick adding a combined 20 points.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. The Raptors showed up, did their jobs, and went home. No drama, just pure, unadulterated basketball efficiency.
What’s Next for These Two Teams?
The road doesn’t get any easier for the Pacers. They’ll try to pick up the pieces when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Monday. At this rate, their fans might just be hoping they keep the score within 20. The Raptors, meanwhile, will look to keep their momentum going when they host the Charlotte Hornets on the same night.
For Indiana, it’s back to the drawing board. For Toronto, it’s on to the next one. One team is in a free fall, and the other is starting to look like a squad that nobody wants to face.
