The Indiana Pacers delivered a performance for the record books, dismantling the Washington Wizards 162-109 in a historic night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With the game so lopsided, Indiana intentionally took shot clock violations in the final minutes by then, the damage was already done.
It was a night of shattered records. The Pacers set a new franchise high for points in a single game and handed Washington the most lopsided loss in its history. Their 162-point explosion was also the highest tally by any NBA team this season and the most in a regulation game since Denver’s 168-point outing in 2008. Adding to the spectacle, Indiana drained a franchise-record 27 three-pointers while racking up 48 assists on 59 made field goals.
“It’s obviously fun to watch when you’re coaching the team making all the shots,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “But there was a spirit of unselfishness, which is really what Indiana’s about.”
Tyrese Haliburton led the charge with 29 points, capitalizing on a night where seemingly everything was falling. “I had a couple go in early that felt awful leaving my hands,” he admitted. “That’s when I knew I had it going tonight.” Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell orchestrated the offense with eight assists each, while nine Pacers finished in double figures.
The offensive explosion was an emphatic response to their heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss against the Lakers the night before. Indiana wasted no time setting the tone, dropping 45 first-quarter points and leading 83-61 at halftime. A dominant third quarter stretched the gap to 125-88, with the biggest lead ballooning to 59 points.
Even with history within reach, Indiana showed restraint, opting to dribble out their final possessions earning playful boos from the home crowd.
