Indiana win the fourth quarter 37-28 to beat New Orleans 123-120

How Indiana won the fourth quarter in New Orleans

Indiana won the game in the final period, outscoring New Orleans 37-28 to finish 123-120 winners. The Pelicans went into the fourth ahead, and the Pacers came back to win by 3.

Indiana's scoring was spread across the floor. Pascal Siakam finished with 30, Tyrese Haliburton with 23 and Obi Toppin with 20 from the bench, so New Orleans had no single threat to close down.

Haliburton was also the organiser, with 12 assists and 5/5 from the free-throw line. Andrew Nembhard added 9 assists, giving Indiana two guards who kept the ball moving late in the game.

NBAFinal 4:11 ELECTRIC Ending Pelicans vs Pacers | October 21, 2026

Which quarter set up the Pacers' comeback?

The third quarter set up the finish: Indiana won it 30-26 and cut into the lead New Orleans had built before half-time. That left the Pacers within reach for the fourth.

The game had swung twice before then. Indiana opened 38-31 in the first quarter, but New Orleans answered with a 35-18 second quarter, their best spell of the night.

From the third quarter onwards, Indiana took control of the scoring. Winning the last two periods 30-26 and 37-28 was enough to undo the damage of the second.

Pascal Siakam's 30 points for Indiana

Pascal Siakam carried the winners with 30 points and 8 rebounds in 35 minutes. He made 12/20 two-pointers and 1/3 from three, though he went only 3/8 at the free-throw line.

Siakam ranked 20th of 260 rated players in the league by TeamKeys Rating in 2025/2026. Here he did most of his work inside the arc, where 12 of his field goals came.

Ivica Zubac gave Indiana 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Nembhard scored 18 on 6/7 two-pointers. Those 18 points and 9 assists sat above his 2025/2026 averages of 17 points and 7.7 assists over 57 games.

What the result means for Indiana and New Orleans

Indiana start the 2026/2027 season 1-0 and sit 14th of 30, while New Orleans are 0-1 and 17th. Toronto lead the early table.

For the Pelicans, Yves Missi was the standout. He had 13 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks, with 5/6 two-pointers and a PIR of 31, the best among the game's leaders.

Missi ranked 176th of 260 by TeamKeys Rating in 2025/2026, so this was a strong opening night. Dejounte Murray scored 23 with 7 assists, and Derik Queen had 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

Indiana face the Dallas Mavericks on 23 October. New Orleans meet the Utah Jazz on 24 October, looking for their first win.