The Toronto Raptors stormed into Indianapolis on January 14, 2026, and walked away with a statement win, toppling the Indiana Pacers 115-101 in front of a restless Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd. With this victory, the Raptors not only snapped the Pacers’ season-high three-game win streak but also stamped their authority by sweeping all three meetings against Indiana this season. The game, however, was far from a straightforward affair, as the Pacers nearly staged a miraculous comeback from a daunting 27-point deficit.
From the opening tip, the Raptors came out firing on all cylinders. Brandon Ingram, who finished with a game-high 30 points, set the tone early by connecting on three of his first four shots and sinking two free throws in the initial surge. Scottie Barnes, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, chipped in with 10 first-quarter points as Toronto raced to a 39-18 lead after just 12 minutes. The Raptors were lights out, shooting 73% from the field (16 of 22) and a blistering 80% from beyond the arc (4 of 5) in the opening frame. In stark contrast, the Pacers struggled to find their rhythm, hitting just six of their 19 field goal attempts and making only two of eight from deep.
“We wanted to come out aggressive and set the tone,” said Ingram, whose late-game heroics would ultimately put the contest out of reach. “When you get a lead like that, you’ve got to keep your foot on the gas.”
Gradey Dick, providing a spark off the bench, delivered his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds, including three baskets to close out the first quarter. Collin Murray-Boyles also contributed a double-double for the Raptors, tallying 10 points and 10 boards. The Raptors’ bench outperformed expectations, providing a crucial boost as the game wore on.
Despite the early onslaught, the Pacers refused to fold. After falling behind by as many as 27 points in the second quarter, Indiana clawed back with a gritty, full-team effort. Pascal Siakam, the Pacers’ leading scorer, was held without a field goal until early in the second quarter but quickly found his groove. He poured in 10 points in the second and another 12 in the third, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Guards Andrew Nembhard and Quenton Jackson each added 14 points, while Johnny Furphy posted a double-double of his own with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Jarace Walker, meanwhile, was efficient from long range, knocking down three of five from deep en route to 11 points.
Indiana’s comeback effort was fueled by defensive adjustments and a spark from their reserves. The Pacers’ 2-3 zone defense stymied Toronto for stretches in the fourth quarter, allowing Indiana to chip away at the deficit. With just over four minutes left, Johnny Furphy drilled a three-pointer to bring the Pacers within four points, electrifying the home crowd and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
But when the pressure mounted, Ingram delivered. The All-Star forward buried back-to-back three-pointers from nearly the same spot at the left elbow, pushing the Raptors’ lead back to double digits and silencing the Indiana faithful. “Those were huge shots,” said Raptors head coach (unnamed in the sources). “Brandon’s got that killer instinct. When the game is on the line, he wants the ball.” Barnes followed up with a pair of jumpers, and the duo combined to score Toronto’s final 12 points, ensuring there would be no late-game collapse.
“We knew they’d make a run,” Barnes remarked after the game. “This is the NBA—no lead is ever safe. But we stayed composed and got stops when we needed them.”
The Pacers’ valiant effort in the second half was not without its bright spots. Quenton Jackson, playing on a two-way contract, provided energy off the bench, scoring 14 points and finishing +12 in his 19 minutes on the floor. Center Tony Bradley anchored the defense in the second half, grabbing four rebounds and finishing +3 in limited action. Though Aaron Nesmith struggled with his shot, going just 1-of-12 from the field, he contributed on the defensive end, helping to slow Toronto’s attack during Indiana’s rally.
The loss drops Indiana to 9-32 at the season’s midpoint, the worst record in the Eastern Conference and second-worst in the NBA. The defeat also snapped their three-game winning streak, a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging campaign. For the Raptors, now 25-17 and fourth in the East, the win marks their seventh in the last 10 games and keeps them firmly in the playoff picture.
Toronto was forced to navigate the contest without several key contributors, including R.J. Barrett (ankle), Ja’Kobe Walter (hip), and Jakob Poeltl (back). The Pacers, meanwhile, were missing Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) and Isaiah Jackson (concussion). Despite the absences, both teams leaned on their depth, with role players stepping up on both sides.
Looking ahead, the Raptors will return home to host the L.A. Clippers on Friday, while the Pacers will look to regroup as they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With the All-Star break looming and playoff races heating up, every win—and every comeback attempt—carries added significance.
For the Raptors, the formula was simple: build a big lead, withstand the inevitable run, and let their stars shine in crunch time. For the Pacers, the game was a testament to their resilience, even if the final result didn’t go their way. “We fought hard,” Siakam said. “We just dug ourselves too deep a hole. But we’re not giving up.”
In a game defined by wild swings and high drama, it was the Raptors’ poise—and Ingram’s clutch shooting—that ultimately made the difference. As the season rolls on, both teams will look to build on the lessons learned in a memorable mid-January clash in Indianapolis.
