The Indiana Pacers (46-32) edged the Denver Nuggets (50-28) 125-120 on Sunday, April 6, overcoming the absence of Pascal Siakam and snapping Denver’s late-season slide behind a strong showing from Obi Toppin and Myles Turner.
Toppin, making just his second start of the season, scored 22 points, while Turner led the Pacers with 24. Indiana erased a 13-point first-half deficit despite a quiet night from All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who finished with just nine points on eight shot attempts — well below his season average of 18.6.
The Nuggets dropped their fourth straight, even with a monster performance from Nikola Jokic, who recorded 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists. Christian Braun added a career-high 30 points, but Denver’s late-game execution faltered again.
Trailing 122-120 with 15 seconds remaining, Jokic committed a costly backcourt turnover on a misread dribble-handoff with Braun — the Nuggets' third turnover in the final two minutes and sixth of the fourth quarter.
Jamal Murray missed his fifth straight game with a right hamstring strain. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said the team is “hopeful” Murray will return in time for the playoffs.
Haliburton didn’t score until late in the third quarter, when his three-pointer tied the game at 84. He followed with a floater that gave Indiana a 98-97 lead heading into the fourth, and the Pacers never looked back.
Indiana’s depth proved key without Siakam (right elbow), as the team stayed firm in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Denver, meanwhile, continues to slide in a tightly packed Western Conference and now risks dropping into the play-in zone.
Malone did win a pair of first-half challenges, overturning fouls on Jokic and Braun, but it wasn’t enough to halt the skid.
The Pacers return home to host the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, April 8. The Nuggets will look to regroup when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, April 9.
