Short-handed Clippers lose on road - Orange County Register

CLIPPERS

Short-handed Clippers lose on road

Clippers center Ivica Zubac, who scored 22 points and grabbed six rebounds, goes to the basket against Pacers center Thomas Bryant during Sunday’s game in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton had 29 points and 12 assists for his 16th double-double of the season, Aaron Nesmith scored a season-high 19, and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Clippers 129-111 on Sunday.

Haliburton scored 17 points in the third quarter, when the Pacers (32-23) took a 101-83 lead. The All-Star point guard shot 9 of 14 overall with four 3-pointers.

The Pacers, who are an NBA-best 16-5 in 2025, had seven players score in double digits. Center Myles Turner returned from a three-game injury absence with 17 first-half points.

The short-handed Clippers (31-25) were without leading scorer Norman Powell (left knee soreness) and No. 3 scorer Kawhi Leonard (left foot soreness). Powell averages 24.2 points per game and Leonard 16.9.

Leonard has played in just 16 games this season, but Powell’s absence proved problematic. The lack of scoring options became increasingly evident as the Clippers steadily fell behind.

That meant veteran All-Star guard James Harden looked to take more shots — he went 9 of 17 with six 3s to finish with 31 points and 11 assists. Ivica Zubac added 22 points.