The Indiana Pacers started their season with a hard-fought 115-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons, overcoming a double-digit deficit to spoil J.B. Bickerstaff’s first game as the Pistons’ head coach. With strong performances from Myles Turner, Pascal Siakam, and Bennedict Mathurin, the Pacers clawed their way back in the fourth quarter, outscoring Detroit 33-19 to seal the win. This comeback highlights the resilience of an Indiana team that reached the Eastern Conference finals last season.
Pacers Surge in Fourth Quarter to Steal the Win
The game looked to be Detroit’s to lose. After leading for the first three quarters and holding a 12-point advantage, the Pistons appeared on track for a successful season opener. Yet the Pacers, led by Turner’s 20 points, refused to quit. Their late-game push was sparked by a combination of solid defense and timely scoring.
- Key Fourth Quarter Stats:
- Pacers outscored Pistons 33-19
- Detroit shot just 5-of-20 from the field
- An overturned charge-block call helped shift momentum in favor of Indiana
With 6:31 left, a pivotal moment occurred. A charge-block call was overturned, erasing what could have been a three-point play for Detroit’s Tobias Harris. Instead, Indiana found themselves with a one-point lead, and they never looked back.
Indiana’s Key Players Shine in Season Opener
Myles Turner was crucial to the Pacers’ success, putting up 20 points while playing key minutes in the second half. His efforts were matched by Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin, each contributing 19 points. Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell added valuable support, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively.
This Pacers team looks sharp early, especially with Siakam, their All-Star forward, locked into a max contract after their impressive postseason run last year. Coach Rick Carlisle clearly has a solid foundation to build on, and it showed in how his team closed out the game.
Detroit’s Veterans Show Promise, But Mistakes Prove Costly
For Detroit, Cade Cunningham was a standout, scoring 28 points—22 of them in the second half. Despite Cunningham’s efforts, the Pistons couldn’t maintain their shooting efficiency in the fourth quarter. After shooting nearly 50% through the first three quarters, Detroit’s accuracy dipped drastically in the final frame.
Veterans Tim Hardaway, Malik Beasley, and Tobias Harris each had solid outings in their first games with Detroit. Harris, in particular, provided valuable contributions during his second stint with the team, but it was the late-game struggles and key overturned calls that ultimately cost them the game.
Detroit’s Veteran Contributions:
- Tim Hardaway: 14 points
- Malik Beasley: 14 points
- Tobias Harris: 13 points
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Looking ahead, Indiana will travel to face the New York Knicks on Friday night, hoping to build on this thrilling comeback victory. Meanwhile, Detroit heads to Cleveland for a matchup against the Cavaliers, eager to shake off this opening night disappointment and secure their first win under Bickerstaff.
