Game Rewind: Pacers 104, Timberwolves 124

Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Game Recap

The Pacers returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday to host the Minnesota Timberwolves in a matchup between two shorthanded squads. 

Indiana struggled with turnovers, and fell to the Timberwolves, 124-104.

Minnesota was without Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels as the pair of Timberwolves each battled knee injuries. Indiana had several key players sidelined – T.J. McConnell (hamstring), Pascal Siakam (ankle), Andrew Nembhard (back), Aaron Nesmith (neck), and Ben Sheppard (hip) were all unavailable. 

Minnesota made five straight 3-point shots over a 2:33 period in the first quarter en route to a lead that would reach double digits. The Timberwolves hit six of their nine attempts from deep in the first period. 

Indiana recorded six turnovers in the opening frame. Minnesota capitalized on those extra possessions, and led by as many as 15 points down the stretch of the quarter. 

Kam Jones’ 3-pointer beat the first quarter buzzer as Indiana went into the second trailing by eight points, 35-27. 

The Blue and Gold battled back to within nine points of the lead with four minutes to play in the first half, 48-39, after Quenton Jackson knocked down a pair of free throws. 

Obi Toppin provided a needed pop of energy off the bench for the Pacers as he knocked down three of his six shots, and led Indiana in scoring with 12 points. Randle notched a game-high 14 points in the first half for the Timberwolves. 

Indiana was tougher on defense in the second quarter. After allowing 35 points in the first, the Pacers conceded 28 in the second, and entered the halftime break trailing the Timberwolves by 10 points, 63-53.

The Blue and Gold fell behind again to open the second half, but back-to-back slams by Jackson and Micah Potter pulled Indiana back within 10 points of Minnesota, 77-67.

Minnesota responded with a 13-4 run to build its lead back to 19 points, 90-71. 

Ethan Thompson marched to the free throw line seven times in the third quarter, and converted five of those seven attempts. 

Indiana trailed after three, 102-77. 

Minnesota kept its foot on the gas until the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter, when the Timberwolves starters exited for deep rotation players. The lead was 25 points. 

Indiana cut that deficit down to 20 points over the final three minutes of play, but fell to the Timberwolves, 124-104.

The Pacers’ 22 turnovers interrupted any offensive rhythm they were able to create, and led to 34 points for the Timberwolves. 

Thompson led Indiana in scoring as he recorded 17 points and four rebounds. Both Toppin and Jalen Slawson contributed 14 points off the Indiana bench. Ayo Dosunmu’s 24 points led the Timberwolves, and Randle finished the game with 19 points. 

The Pacers are back in action on Thursday, April 9, at 7:30 PM ET when they take on the Nets in Brooklyn.

Inside the Numbers

Six of Indiana’s 10 active players recorded double-figure scoring totals. 

The Pacers committed 22 turnovers to Minnesota’s 18. 

Indiana knocked down nine 3-point shots to the Timberwolves’ 17. 

Minnesota shot 52 percent from the floor, and the Pacers shot 48 percent.

You Can Quote Me on That

“His early rim runs are elite. He and Pascal [Siakam] are two of the best in the game…He's been an active driver. He's a guy that works on his game. I mean, he's gotten better each year. And even though he's getting into his later 20s, to me he’s still a guy that's just entering his prime.” – coach Rick Carlisle on Obi Toppin’s improvement

“He plays with force, plays hard. The shooting is a key element of the NBA game now. He’s really worked on it in recent days. When you can pair up really good driving ability with long range ability, gaps become wider.” – Carlisle on Jalen Slawson’s progress 

“It’s really important that we maintain the spirit that we’ve developed here really over the last five years. When things are tough you can lose some energy and things like that…We’ve got good guys. It’s easy to get beaten down when you lose a lot of games, but lately we've done some good things. Tonight was a bit of a step back, but Wednesday's another opportunity.” – Carlisle on Indiana’s performance without key players

“This is a great opportunity for us, especially in the position that we're in, to showcase how we can impact the NBA game. We’re grateful for the opportunity.” – Ethan Thompson on the impact increased NBA minutes have on two-way players

“The freedom in the offense allows us to use our creativity. We have a lot of creative guys on the team, a lot of different actions…With as many different guys as we've had playing big minutes this year, it takes a while to get accustomed to playing with each other, and I think we're starting to do that.” – Jalen Slawson on how Indiana’s free-flowing offense allows players to showcase creativity

Stat of the Night

The Pacers committed 22 turnovers that led to 34 Timberwolves points. 

Noteworthy

• The Pacers are 43-29 against the Timberwolves all-time. 
• Kobe Brown did not return after halftime on Tuesday with a sore lower back. 
• Jalen Slawson was named to the G League All-Defensive first team on Tuesday. 
• Coach Rick Carlisle will be away from the team for the next two games as he attends an event for his daughter. 

Up Next

The Pacers travel to Brooklyn as they match up with the Nets in their final road game of the season on Thursday, April 9, 7:30 PM ET.

Tickets

The Pacers will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, April 10 at 7:30 PM ET. Find Tickets >>