Game Rewind: Pacers 109, Warriors 131

Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

The Pacers had no answer for Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Curry went 6-for-6 from 3-point range in the first quarter and the Warriors (24-25) never trailed, pulling away in the second half for a 131-109 victory over Indiana (29-24).

The two-time MVP had 29 points by halftime and finished with a game-high 42 points in 30 minutes, going 15-for-22 from the field and 11-for-16 from 3-point range.

Pascal Siakam led six Pacers in double figures in the loss with 16 points and eight rebounds. Myles Turner tallied 15 points and seven boards for Indiana as the Blue & Gold dropped their final home game before the All-Star break.

Thursday was a busy day for the Pacers at the trade deadline, as Indiana made two deals, including one with Golden State. The Pacers traded sharpshooter Buddy Hield to Philadelphia in a three-team deal that brought former Pacer Doug McDermott back to Indiana from San Antonio along with guard Furkan Korkmaz, two second-round picks, and cash considerations.

Separately, Indiana acquired former Pacer Cory Joseph, a 2025 second-round pick, and cash considerations from the Warriors in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick. Shortly after Thursday's game, the Pacers waived Joseph and signed forward James Johnson, whose second 10-day contract expired on Wednesday.

But on the court, it was an off night from the tip for Indiana.

The Warriors jumped out to a quick lead thanks to Curry, as the Davidson graduate hit three 3-pointers in the first 3:45 to propel the visitors to an early 17-8 advantage.

The Pacers charged back, hitting their first four 3-pointers as a team and getting back within three at 22-19.

But Curry couldn't miss on the other end, drilling his fourth, fifth, and sixth threes of the quarter at 5:11, 4:26, and 3:29.

Pacers big man Jalen Smith came off the bench and scored 11 points in the opening frame on 5-of-5 shooting and Siakam added 10 points for the Blue & Gold, but Curry's outburst helped the visitors to a 45-34 lead after a 12-minute shootout.

With Curry on the bench, the Pacers opened the second quarter with a 12-4 run. Smith knocked down his second three and T.J. McConnell scored four points during that stretch.

Indiana twice got within two points of the lead, the latter occasion following Aaron Nesmith's three-point play that made it 58-56 with 4:20 remaining. But the Warriors outscored the Blue & Gold 12-2 over the remainder of the half, with Curry scoring eight points in that stretch.

Curry led all scorers with 29 points in the first half, going 10-for-11 from the field and 8-for-9 from 3-point range, as the visitors took a 12-point lead into the intermission.

The Pacers were unable to cut into the lead throughout the third quarter. Golden State stretched the margin as high as 16 points in the early part of the frame following another five-point spurt from Curry, who hit his ninth three of the night with 7:13 remaining in the third quarter then made a mid-range jumper 38 seconds later.

Indiana managed to get within 11 at 85-74 following two Turner free throws with 3:59 remaining in the quarter. But Golden State outscored the Blue & Gold 10-2 over the remainder of the frame to take a commanding 95-76 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Curry checked back in to the game with 8:06 remaining. The Pacers cut the deficit to 15 on three occasions shortly thereafter, but each time the Warriors answered with a basket, including two 3-pointers from rookie forward Gui Santos.

Curry sealed the victory by knocking down his 10th and 11th 3-pointers of the night at 4:23 and 3:51 to surpass 40 points.

“He was making shots, but we got beat by their hard play and our lack of hard play," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. "As simple as that. It was ugly. I think we lost every quarter. Very disappointing.”

Former Indiana University All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis entered to a loud ovation with 3:37 remaining and immediately threw down an alley-oop from Jonathan Kuminga to put the exclamation point on Golden State's victory.

Smith had 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting in the first half, but did not return after halftime due to lower back spasms.

Nesmith finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and five steals for Indiana, Bennedict Mathurin added 11 points off the bench, and Andrew Nembhard scored 10.

All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton had just five points on 2-of-7 shooting for Indiana, but he did accumulate 11 assists.

Kuminga had 18 points for the Warriors on 9-of-16 shooting. Santos added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench, while Andrew Wiggins and Dario Saric each contributed 11.

The Pacers will tip off a three-game road trip on Saturday in New York. They will also visit Charlotte and Toronto before the All-Star break. Indianapolis will host NBA All-Star 2024 next weekend, the first time the city has hosted All-Star since 1985.

Siakam has scored in double figures in all 12 games since being acquired by the Pacers from Toronto on Jan. 17.

Nesmith set a new career high with five steals. He had tallied four steals in a game four times, most recently at Memphis on Dec. 21.

Haliburton's five points were a season low. It was just the third time in 40 games this season in which Haliburton failed to reach double figures (one of the two previous games was on Jan. 8 against Boston, when he exited in the second quarter with a strained left hamstring).

Golden State's 45 points in the first quarter were the most the Pacers have allowed in the opening frame this season.

The Warriors shot 55.9 percent from the field and went 17-for-32 (53.1 percent) from 3-point range on Thursday. Indiana shot 48.1 percent and 12-for-31 (38.7 percent) from beyond the arc.

Golden State outscored Indiana 64-44 in points in the paint.

The Pacers outscored the Warriors 26-12 in points off turnovers.

Playing his 11th career game, Santos set new career highs in points (13), rebounds (eight), and minutes (21).

“Just a bad game, top to bottom. Started with me, started with our first group. Just poor effort game, poor performance overall.” -Haliburton on the game

“Our fixation has got to be on hard, unselfish play. If we do those things, the scoring will take care of itself…Any success we’ve had this year has been built on the group being stronger than individuals.” -Carlisle

“It definitely was our effort, from the start of the game to the finish. It just wasn’t where it needed to be. Our energy wasn’t on point. Having three games until the break, it’s a sprint right now. We’ve just got to figure out a way to run off some wins.” -Turner on Thursday’s loss

“Steph is Steph, that’s what he does. Those are no surprise. I thought we got killed on the 50/50 balls tonight…Their role players contributed really well.” -Haliburton on Curry and the Warriors

“Unfortunately, he started the game off way too comfortable. That’s on us as a team. He saw his first couple go in…Obviously a player of his caliber, it’s easy work for him.” -Turner on Curry

“I texted him a bit earlier today. He’s excited to be back. I know we’re excited to bring him back. Just having that addition and getting more firepower.” -Turner on being reunited with McDermott

“His energy’s infectious, it’s something that we’re definitely going to be missing. But we’re going to have to find a way to make it up somehow, some way. It doesn’t start with just one person, it’s a group effort. He’ll definitely be missed…All the best to him in Philly.” -Turner on Hield being traded

“I’m excited to bring Doug in, excited to have another guy that can space the floor. Obviously it hurts not to play with Buddy anymore. Today was my first game without Buddy…Wish him the best and he’s still one of my best friends.” -Haliburton on Thursday’s moves

Curry's 11 3-pointers on Thursday were the most ever by an opposing player against the Pacers. The previous record of 10 was set by Curry's teammate Klay Thompson on Dec. 8, 2015 and matched by Kelly Oubre Jr. for Charlotte on Jan. 26, 2022. Curry — the NBA's all-time leader in career 3-pointers made — has made 11 or more threes in 13 games in his career.

The Pacers travel to New York to take on Jalen Brunson and the Knicks on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 PM ET.

After the All-Star break, the Pacers will open the second half of the season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>