Pacers Defeat Short-Handed 76ers 115-102 as Injuries Plague Philadelphia

INDIANAPOLIS — Pascal Siakam scored 21 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and Myles Turner added 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 115-102 victory over the injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Pacers (24-19) won their second straight game and eighth in their last nine, solidifying their position as fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the 76ers (15-25) dropped their fifth consecutive game, struggling with a roster missing five key players, including Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris, due to injuries.

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 28 points, while Kelly Oubre Jr. and rookie Ricky Council IV each contributed 18 points. Despite the absences, Philadelphia kept the game competitive, trailing just 61-59 at halftime and closing within three points late in the third quarter. However, Indiana closed the period on a 10-4 run and held the Sixers without a basket for the final 3:10 of the game to secure the win.

“We’re just trying to find consistency with so many guys out,” said 76ers head coach Nick Nurse. “Andre Drummond came back tonight, but we didn’t have enough at the end.” Drummond, returning from a left toe injury, finished with eight points and three rebounds in 27 minutes.

Indiana’s depth proved decisive, with their bench outscoring Philadelphia’s 30-12 in the first half. Rookie Adem Bona had a standout performance for the Sixers, scoring 11 first-half points on perfect 5-for-5 shooting, including three dunks. “Playing in the dunker spot helps us get spaced a lot,” Bona said earlier this month. “I’ve been trying to draw the other big out of the paint.”

The Sixers struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 29.4% (10-for-34) on three-point attempts. Maxey, who has been a bright spot for Philadelphia, went 2-for-7 from long range and is shooting 25.5% from three over his last five games.

Philadelphia’s injury woes continued as Guerschon Yabusele missed his first game of the season due to right knee swelling. The team’s bench was further depleted when Justin Edwards fouled out early in the fourth quarter.

Indiana, now healthier and rounding into playoff form, looks to continue its momentum as it heads to Paris for two games against the San Antonio Spurs. The Sixers, meanwhile, face a quick turnaround, traveling to Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Sunday.