Jay Huff Shines As Pacers Top Pelicans In Career Night

The Indiana Pacers delivered a thrilling performance on Friday night, dispatching the New Orleans Pelicans 127-119 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The star of the evening? None other than Jay Huff, who erupted for a career-high 29 points, anchoring Indiana's fourth victory in their last five outings and electrifying the home crowd with his efficient scoring and energy on both ends of the floor.

Huff, who was coming off a quiet seven-point effort in his previous game, bounced back in spectacular fashion. He finished the night connecting on 13 of his 17 field goal attempts, including three buckets from beyond the arc. The Pacers big man also grabbed nine rebounds, dished out an assist, and contributed defensively with two blocks and two steals in just 29 minutes of action. It was a complete turnaround from his last performance, making this outburst all the more impressive.

"I just wanted to come out and be aggressive," Huff said after the game, according to Field Level Media. "My teammates kept finding me in good spots, and I tried to make the most of my opportunities." His recent form has been nothing short of remarkable, as he has averaged 15.5 points on a blistering 67.2% shooting clip over the past six games, hitting every free throw, grabbing 3.7 rebounds, knocking down two three-pointers, and swatting 1.8 shots per contest. That kind of efficiency is rare, especially for a player who’s still carving out a bigger role in the Pacers’ rotation.

Huff’s breakout was just one part of a well-oiled Indiana attack. Andrew Nembhard orchestrated the offense with poise, notching a 19-point, 10-assist double-double. His ability to control the tempo and find open teammates was crucial, especially during key stretches when the Pelicans threatened to close the gap. Nembhard’s court vision was on full display, as the Pacers racked up a remarkable 37 assists on 52 made field goals—a testament to their unselfish, up-tempo style of play.

Pascal Siakam was another driving force behind Indiana’s offensive explosion. The veteran forward poured in 27 points on 4-of-8 shooting from deep, while also contributing six rebounds and five assists. Siakam’s versatility and scoring punch have been invaluable since his arrival, and his performance on Friday helped fuel Indiana’s highest-scoring win since November 19, 2025. When Siakam is dialed in, the Pacers’ offense becomes that much harder to contain.

Indiana’s depth continues to be a major asset. T.J. McConnell came off the bench and kept the ball moving with nine assists, providing a steady hand for the second unit. He was one of six Pacers to score at least eight points, joining Quenton Jackson and Aaron Nesmith, who each chipped in 12 off the bench. The collective effort was evident as Indiana put up a staggering 73 points in the first half, surging ahead in the second quarter and never looking back.

The Pelicans, to their credit, didn’t go down quietly. New Orleans mounted a charge midway through the third quarter, stringing together a 7-0 run to pull within two points. But Indiana responded swiftly, rattling off a 9-3 burst to regain control, and maintained a comfortable cushion throughout the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to as many as 14 points at one stage. The Pacers’ resilience and timely execution proved decisive down the stretch.

On the Pelicans’ side, Zion Williamson led the way with 27 points and seven assists, converting an impressive 10 of his 12 shots. Williamson’s relentless drives and ability to finish through contact kept New Orleans in the hunt, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Indiana’s balanced attack. Trey Murphy III, who had been on a tear with four 30-plus point games in his last five outings, was held in check by the Pacers’ defense, finishing with 22 points on just 7-of-21 shooting. Saddiq Bey added 20 points, while Derik Queen continued his strong play with 14 points and 12 rebounds, marking his third double-double in five games. Jordan Poole provided a spark off the bench, knocking down three of his four three-point attempts and tallying 11 points.

Indiana’s victory was not just about individual brilliance but about a cohesive team effort. The Pacers’ passing, movement, and ability to share the scoring load made them a tough puzzle for the Pelicans to solve. Their 37 assists were a season highlight, and their willingness to make the extra pass resulted in open looks for shooters all night long. It’s this brand of basketball that has propelled Indiana to four wins in their last five games, and with contributions coming from up and down the roster, the Pacers are looking like a team on the rise in the Eastern Conference.

The win also marked the Pacers’ highest-scoring game in a victory since November, underscoring their offensive firepower when they’re firing on all cylinders. With Huff’s emergence, Siakam’s steady production, and Nembhard’s growing confidence at the point, Indiana fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic as the season progresses. The chemistry on display Friday night was palpable, and if the Pacers can maintain this level of play, they’ll be a handful for any opponent.

For the Pelicans, the loss stings, especially after showing flashes of their potential in the third quarter. Still, with Williamson healthy and productive, and with supporting pieces like Murphy, Bey, Queen, and Poole contributing, New Orleans remains a dangerous squad capable of bouncing back quickly. The Pacers’ defense deserves credit for limiting Murphy, who had been red-hot coming in, and for keeping the Pelicans at bay during crucial moments.

As the dust settles on this entertaining clash, Indiana’s locker room will savor a hard-fought win that showcased their depth, resilience, and unselfish brand of basketball. Jay Huff’s breakout night will grab the headlines, but it’s the Pacers’ collective effort that truly set them apart. With momentum on their side and a roster brimming with confidence, Indiana looks poised to keep climbing the standings as the season unfolds.

Next up, both teams will look to build on the lessons from Friday’s contest. The Pacers, riding high after another statement win, have their eyes set on continuing this impressive run, while the Pelicans will regroup and aim to rediscover their winning formula. One thing’s for sure: if Jay Huff and the Pacers keep playing like this, the rest of the league had better take notice.