The Pacers, who made the Eastern Conference finals a season ago, are led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. Siakam (20.2 points per game) was an All-Star in 2025, while Haliburton got better as the season progressed. He averaged 20.6 points and 11 assists per game after the All-Star break.

Haliburton had 26 point on 10-of-22 shooting with six assists and five rebounds. The fourth quarter saw sizable swings for both teams. The Pacers had a lead, then back-to-back 3-pointers from Gary Trent Jr. and A.J. Green plus an Antetokounmpo and-1 put them up four with less than a minute left.