Nine Pacers scored in double-figures as Indiana set multiple franchise records in Indiana’s 162-109 blowout of the host Washington Wizards on Thursday in the nation’s capital.
Coming off a buzzer-beater loss to the Lakers on Wednesday, Indiana (43-30) exercised some frustration on last-place Washington, beginning with a 12-0 run in the first quarter. That spurt set Indiana on its way to scoring 83 first-half points, just three shy of matching the franchise’s single-half record. But while the Pacers did not quite reach a half scoring mark, they broke the single-game record of 157 points reached twice last season.
The 53-point margin of victory threatened the 57-point rout of Oklahoma City in 2021 that set the NBA record for the most lopsided road win in league history.
Tyrese Haliburton’s 29 points led the Pacers. Haliburton hit 7-of-10 from 3-point distance, helping Indiana set another organization record for 3-point makes with a 27-of-47 night from beyond the arc as a team.
Washington (16-57) was within 13 points at the 8:16 mark of the second quarter, but Indiana ripped off 30 points from there to push the lead to 22 points by intermission.
A 15-7 run midway through the third quarter helped expand the lead to 26. A 15-3 run closed the period and increased the deficit to 37 points.
Myles Turner and Jarace Walker, who scored 17 and 16 points, each made four 3-pointers. Walker led five Pacers reserves who scored in double-figures, joining Thomas Bryant with 12 points; Obi Toppin with 15; and T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin each with 10.
Indiana’s bench outscored Washington’s, 85-33.
Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 22 points, coming on the heels of a 24-point effort in Washington’s win at Philadelphia on Wednesday. Jordan Poole shot 4-of-8 from 3-point range and finished with 18 points.
Justin Champagnie added 15 points in the loss, which is the most lopsided in the franchise’s history.
