Pacers' 17-0 third-quarter run turns into 114-109 to LeBron James, Sixers

INDIANAPOLIS -- Missing All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and center Ivica Zubac , the Pacers didn't seem to have much hope in their nationally televised game against the loaded 76ers on Wednesday. Thanks to a dominant third quarter they actually built a double-digit lead, but the Sixers closed strong to claim a 114-109 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday. The Pacers fell to 2-3. The 76ers improved to 4-1. Pacers go on 17-0 third-quarter run, fade in fourth Sixers second-year guard V.J. Edgecombe drilled a 50-foot 3-pointer from beyond halfcourt at the halftime buzzer to put the Sixers up 62-52 and that seemed to signal that Wednesday's game was going in the direction most expected when it was announced that Haliburton wouldn't be available for Wednesday's game. However, the Pacers refused to accept that as a given and in the third quarter provided a template for how they might be competitive in his absence. The Pacers maintained defensive force, kept the 76ers from getting anything easy and turned defense into offense in a dominant third quarter to take a commanding lead. They opened the period on a 17-0 run to take a 69-62 lead, denying the 76ers a basket until LeBron James hit a 3-pointer with 6:05 to go in the period. The Pacers took a lead as great as 13 points, outscoring the 76ers 36-13 in the period. They held Philadelphia to 5 of 21 shooting for 0.54 points per possession and made 13 of 23 field goals themselves. In the fourth quarter, however, the 76ers settled down and relied on their immense talent, and the Pacers seemed to run out of gas. The Sixers won the period 39-21, shooting 12 of 20 from the floor while the Pacers were 6 of 20 including 0 of 7 from 3-point range. Tyrese Maxey scored 15 points in the period with a pair of dagger 3-pointers in the last two minutes. However, the fact that the Pacers were able to dominate for even one quarter was a surprising development given the roster they had available. Pascal Siakam puts Pacers on his back to keep them in it Haliburton's hamstring strain put Pascal Siakam back in the position in which he spent most of last season, having to carry the offensive load against opponents who knew he had to take the lion's share of the shots. But just as he was even in the doomed 2025-26 season, Siakam was game for the challenge and his efficiency kept the Pacers in the game until the final minutes. Siakam's mid-post game was brilliant as he slipped past defenders for layups and hit them over the top with turnaround jumpers in the lane. He finished with 26 points on 11 of 17 field goals and nine of his makes were in the lane. Siakam was also a force on defense, making James' life difficult as James finished 5 of 12 from the floor. Siakam was also huge on the glass with 11 rebounds, 10 on the defensive end. Andrew Nembhard posts double-double in Tyrese Haliburton's absence Andrew Nembhard found himself back in the lineup on Wednesday after missing Monday's game with stiffness in his neck and upper back and he also found himself having to start and play heavy minutes at point guard with Haliburton out with a new hamstring strain and T.J. McConnell out with one that has kept him on the bench since training camp. Nembhard went into the game knowing he'd have to play heavy minutes and make an impact on both ends against the most decorated starting five in the NBA. He responded about as well as the Pacers could have asked for. Nembhard wasn't efficient shooting the ball and had four turnovers, but otherwise did everything the Pacers could have asked. He posted a double-double with 18 points on 5 of 16 shooting. And on defense he set the tone, as he guarded Maxey at the point of attack and kept him quiet by his standards until the fourth period when Maxey had 15 of his 27. Pacers vs Sixers leading scorers Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 27 points and center Joel Embiid had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Jaylen Brown had 20 points and 10 rebounds and guard Anfernee Simons had 20 points. Pacers forward Pascal Siakam had 26 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Andrew Nembhard had 18 points and 14 assists. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter .