Pacers Outrun Mavericks in Loss: 'We Just Couldn't Keep the Ball in Front of Us'

Dallas’ ongoing struggle with slow starts was evident from the opening minutes. The Pacers quickly jumped to a 15-2 lead, as the Mavericks appeared flat and outpaced defensively. By the end of the first quarter, Dallas trailed 36-29, a gap they worked to close but never entirely overcame.

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“I think that’s kind of been our MO right now—slow starts,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. “We scored 29 points and made a better showing in that first quarter, but we have to figure out how to get the ball moving, get everyone involved, and keep the energy up.”

Naji Marshall echoed Kidd’s observations, admitting that the team’s struggle to start games with intensity has been an issue.

“Yeah, I think that’s just kind of been our MO right now—slow starts,” Marshall said. “We had one game that wasn’t a slow start, and that was the night before. But it was a slow start tonight.”

Dončić’s Near Triple-Double, but Defense Falters

Dončić put on a scoring and playmaking clinic, tallying 34 points, 15 assists, and seven rebounds. Still, even his near triple-double wasn’t enough to keep the Mavericks competitive against Indiana’s speed. Dončić acknowledged the challenge of playing a fast-paced team on the second night of a back-to-back.

“Our defense was bad tonight,” Dončić admitted. “After we played, I think, great defense yesterday, we kind of let go tonight. There was a lot of pace in this game, so it was hard on a back-to-back.”

Indiana’s five-out offensive setup, with Myles Turner and Obi Toppin stretching the floor, left Dallas scrambling on rotations and vulnerable to three-point shots. Turner, in particular, gave Dallas trouble, scoring 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Dončić admitted the Mavericks struggled to contain him.

“Turner killed us there,” he said. “He played great, and it looked like we couldn’t stop him. We should have done a better job, you know, just switching. We know he wants to shoot—he’s from here, so he wanted to put on a show.”

Marshall’s Big Night off the Bench

With starting center Dereck Lively II scratched from the lineup due to a shoulder injury, Marshall stepped off the bench. Marshall delivered a season-high 20 points, going 8-of-9 from the field and 2-for-2 from three-point range.

Marshall grabbed 5 rebounds and handed out 6 assists, providing much-needed energy and playmaking when Dallas struggled to keep pace with Indiana’s fast-breaking offense.

“I’m getting more comfortable,” Marshall said about his increasing role. “The team’s putting me in the right spots to be at my best, and I’m bringing my energy.”

Dončić praised Marshall’s contributions, recognizing his presence off the bench’s value. “Like I talked about him yesterday, the things he can do,” Dončić said. “He’s getting more and more comfortable, which is big for us.”

Rebounding and Defense Hurt by Lively’s Absence

The absence of Dereck Lively II, who suffered a right shoulder sprain during warmups, significantly impacted Dallas on the boards and rim protection. The Pacers outscored the Mavericks 76-58 in the paint, often finding easy lanes to the basket as Dallas struggled to contain Indiana’s dribble penetration.

“I don’t know when he got hurt,” Kidd said. “He got scratched right before our meeting, so they’ll take pictures tomorrow to check out his shoulder and see what’s going on.”

Dončić also noted how much the Mavericks missed Lively’s presence. “Yeah, big time,” Dončić said. “You ask me this every time when someone’s out, how much we miss them. But yeah, like, you know, what he does for us on the court, all the little things, all the good stuff. So we obviously miss him.”

Late in the game, Indiana capitalized on a crucial offensive rebound that led to a Tyrese Haliburton basket, extending their lead to 126-118 with under three minutes remaining. Marshall pointed to rebounding as a critical issue.

“That’s been an issue for us—being able to rebound the ball,” Marshall explained. “Tonight, we just couldn’t keep the ball in front of us. Credit to them and their pace.”

Irving and Thompson Contribute, but Pacers Control Pace

Kyrie Irving added 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 3-of-7 from deep, while also pulling down five rebounds and dishing out four assists. His scoring kept the Mavericks close, but Indiana’s relentless speed and pressure eventually wore down Dallas. Kidd shifted to a smaller lineup in the second half, attempting to match Indiana’s pace and spacing.

“We were struggling, so we’re going to try everything—small, big, whatever we can do,” Kidd explained. “We don’t have a lot of bigs, but we need to find a group that can get us going with energy.”

Klay Thompson chipped in with 16 points, hitting 6-of-12 from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. His shooting helped keep Dallas competitive in the first half, where he hit three crucial three-pointers.

Kidd highlighted Thompson’s shooting consistency, “Klay’s shooting is there. It’s always been there, and it will always be there.”

Dallas Bench Contributions: Dinwiddie and Washington

Spencer Dinwiddie added 14 points off the bench, hitting 6-of-8 from the field and 2-of-3 from three while grabbing three rebounds. His efficient scoring proved valuable in the second half, but the team’s defensive lapses overshadowed his contribution.

Starting in place of Lively, P.J. Washington also stepped up, scoring 8 points and leading the team with 11 rebounds. Washington’s defensive energy was evident, as he contributed three blocks, though he struggled with his shot, going 3-of-11 from the field and missing all five of his three-point attempts.

Kidd praised Washington’s versatility on defense, noting, “PJ is guarding everyone from starters to bench players, so we need to support him by doing our part defensively.”

Turner and Haliburton Fuel Pacers’ Victory

When returning to his hometown, Myles Turner put on a show, scoring 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three, and 11 rebounds. His back-to-back three-pointers in the third quarter were crucial in shifting the game’s momentum toward Indiana.

“Turner killed us there,” Dončić said. “He’s from here, so he wanted to put on a show. We should have done a better job, you know, just switching. We know he wants to shoot, and we couldn’t really stop him tonight. It looked like we couldn’t do much against him.”

Tyrese Haliburton also made a significant impact, scoring 25 points and tying his season-high with 12 assists. His leadership in Indiana’s up-tempo offense constantly pressured Dallas, particularly late in the game.

Marshall recognized Haliburton’s skill, saying, “He’s an unbelievable player, passer, shooter, and teammate,” Marshall said. “It’s an honor to go against him and credit him for how he played.”

With seven players in double figures, Indiana showcased its depth, an asset that will continue to challenge opponents as the Pacers look to build momentum in the Eastern Conference.

Room for Improvement and Building Chemistry

The loss underscored both Dallas’ offensive firepower and its defensive challenges. Kidd acknowledged the need for better consistency, especially with Lively out.

“We’re still figuring out energy and movement,” he said, noting that the Mavericks will focus on these areas heading into their next game against the Chicago Bulls.

As Dallas looks to bounce back, it will focus on enhancing defensive rotations and improving rebounding, knowing that more consistent execution will be essential to contending in the West.

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