Tyrese Haliburton ended with 21 points and eight assists, while Pascal Siakam finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds to help the Indiana Pacers defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90 in a game that was crucial for both teams’ hopes of making the playoffs.

In a game that was crucial for both teams’ hopes of making the playoffs, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90 on Friday night. Pascal Siakam ended with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 21 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds.

With their most recent victory, Rick Carlisle achieved career win number 938, tying Red Auerbach for the 12th most in NBA history. Indiana has won four out of six games to hold the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference.

All-Stars with injuries The Lakers attempted to enhance their postseason standing from the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference by starting and playing like regular All-Stars LeBron James (left ankle) and Anthony Davis (left knee).

James finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Davis finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds. On a night when the Lakers made only 5 of 29 3-pointers and committed 16 turnovers, five of which were by James, Austin Reaves added 16 points and 13 rebounds.

However, Indiana turned the tables on an old rival, falling to the Lakers 150-145 last Sunday in Los Angeles and 123-109 in the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament championship.

For nearly all of the last 39 minutes, the Pacers were ahead. They secured their first winning season since 2020–21 with a 17–3 run in the fourth quarter after taking an 86–70 lead late in the third and fending off all of the Lakers’ attacks early in the fourth.