It was a night to remember at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as the Indiana Pacers closed out their homestand with an electrifying 127-119 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, January 16, 2026. The crowd roared as center Jay Huff put on a stunning display, notching a career-high 29 points and pulling down nine rebounds, firmly establishing himself as the man of the hour. Shooting an impressive 13-of-17 from the field—including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc—Huff’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Not bad for a player who came into the contest averaging just 8.4 points per game!
Huff’s previous career-best was 22 points, set last year while donning a Memphis Grizzlies jersey in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. Since being acquired by Indiana in an offseason trade, he’s been steadily making his mark, but this was his true breakout. As Huff’s hot hand lit up the scoreboard, he also contributed two steals and two blocks, showing a defensive presence that made life tough for the Pelicans’ frontcourt.
But Huff wasn’t the only Pacer to shine under the bright lights. Pascal Siakam, Indiana’s versatile forward, poured in 27 points—20 of them coming in a blistering first half. Siakam also added six rebounds and five assists, his four three-pointers (on eight attempts) helping fuel what would become Indiana’s highest-scoring first half of the season. Andrew Nembhard, the team’s steady guard, recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision. He also chipped in 10 rebounds, making his impact felt on both ends of the floor.
The supporting cast didn’t disappoint either. Aaron Nesmith and Quenton Jackson each tallied 12 points, while T.J. McConnell came off the bench to dish out nine assists, keeping the Pacers’ offense humming whenever he was on the floor. In fact, the Pacers assisted on a whopping 37 of their 52 made field goals, a testament to their unselfish play and crisp ball movement. Six different Pacers scored at least eight points, demonstrating the team’s balance and depth even with several key players sidelined by injuries.
Indiana’s injury report was a lengthy one: Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), Isaiah Jackson (concussion), Obi Toppin (foot), and Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) were all unavailable. Yet, the Pacers showed resilience and adaptability, with head coach Rick Carlisle’s squad refusing to let adversity dictate their fate. Reflecting on a previous loss to Toronto, Carlisle had said, “Really just the level of physical posture, the level of collective will, attitude. You know, Toronto’s a very physical team. They're a hard matchup.” Against New Orleans, Indiana brought exactly that level of will and attitude, flipping the script from their earlier defeat to the Pelicans back in December, when New Orleans had rolled to a 128-109 win.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, were also dealing with their share of absences—Herbert Jones (ankle), Jose Alvarado (oblique), and Dejounte Murray (Achilles) all missed the contest. Despite these setbacks, New Orleans put up a fight, led by the ever-dynamic Zion Williamson. Williamson was nearly automatic, scoring 27 points on a sizzling 10-of-12 shooting and going 7-for-10 from the free-throw line. He was especially dominant in the first half, where he poured in 21 points and didn’t miss a shot (8-for-8) from the field. Trey Murphy III, who had been on a tear with four 30-plus-point games in his last five outings, was held to 22 points on 7-of-21 shooting, as Indiana’s defense keyed in on the sharpshooter.
Saddiq Bey added 20 points for the Pelicans, while rookie Jeremiah Fears chipped in 16. Derik Queen continued his impressive stretch with his third double-double in five games, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Off the bench, Jordan Poole provided a spark, knocking down three of his four three-point attempts en route to 11 points. Still, New Orleans struggled to find consistency, especially on the road, where they fell to 3-16 for the season.
The game got off to a competitive start, with the Pacers trailing by two after the first quarter. But Indiana found another gear in the second, outscoring the Pelicans and racing to a 73-66 halftime lead. Those 73 points marked the Pacers’ highest-scoring first half of the season and their most prolific in a win since November 19, 2025. The offensive fireworks continued in the third, as Indiana extended its advantage to 102-93 heading into the final frame. New Orleans made a push midway through the third quarter, narrowing the gap to just two points with a 7-0 run, but Indiana responded with a quick 9-3 burst to keep the Pelicans at arm’s length.
In the fourth quarter, the Pacers never let their lead slip away, building it to as many as 14 points before New Orleans managed to trim the margin in the closing minutes. The Pelicans’ last-ditch efforts were stymied by Indiana’s balanced attack and timely defensive stops. The win improved the Pacers’ home record to 8-16 and capped a 3-1 homestand, offering a much-needed boost as they prepare to embark on a challenging five-game road trip. Their next stop? Detroit, where they’ll face the Pistons in the opener of the journey.
For the Pelicans, the loss was another tough pill to swallow in a season marked by road woes. They’ll look to regroup quickly as they head to Houston for a Sunday matchup with the Rockets. Despite the defeat, there were bright spots—Williamson’s efficiency, Queen’s continued growth, and flashes from Murphy and Bey all provide reasons for optimism as the Pelicans try to get healthy and back on track.
As for the Pacers, Friday’s win wasn’t just another tick in the victory column. It was a statement, a showcase of emerging talent, and a testament to the team’s depth and determination. With Jay Huff’s breakout, Siakam’s steady leadership, and Nembhard’s all-around brilliance, Indiana proved it can weather adversity and deliver when it counts. The journey continues, but for one night in Indianapolis, the Pacers and their fans had plenty to celebrate.