If you're refreshing your feed trying to figure out what is the score of the Indiana Pacers game, you caught them at a wild turning point in their season. Last night, January 16, 2026, the Indiana Pacers pulled off a gritty 127-119 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Honestly, it wasn't just a win. It was a statement.
Most people expected the Pacers to struggle, especially given their 8-16 home record coming into this stretch. But the energy in Indianapolis shifted fast. The team looked different. They moved the ball with a kind of urgency we haven't seen much of lately, racking up 37 assists on 52 made field goals.
The Jay Huff Show: A Career Night
When the game started, nobody had "Jay Huff drops 29" on their bingo card.
The 7-foot-1 center, who was averaging a modest 8.4 points per game, basically turned into prime Hakeem Olajuwon for four quarters. He shot 13-for-17 from the field and even stepped out to hit three triples. It's the kind of performance that makes you wonder why he wasn't getting more touches earlier in the month.
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Huff finished with:
- 29 points (career high)
- 9 rebounds
- 2 blocks
- 2 steals
It wasn't just empty stats, either. He was the anchor. Every time Zion Williamson or Trey Murphy III tried to ignite a Pelicans run, Huff seemed to be there to snag a board or hit a momentum-killing hook shot.
Breaking Down the Pacers Game Score
The game was a see-saw early on. New Orleans actually led by two after the first quarter, but Indiana exploded in the second. They put up 42 points in that period alone. That 73-point first half was their highest-scoring opening half of the entire 2025-26 season.
Here is how the scoring broke down by quarter:
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- First Quarter: Pelicans 33, Pacers 31
- Second Quarter: Pelicans 33, Pacers 42 (The tide turns)
- Third Quarter: Pelicans 27, Pacers 29
- Fourth Quarter: Pelicans 26, Pacers 25
Total: Indiana 127, New Orleans 119.
Pascal Siakam was his usual surgical self, dropping 20 of his 27 points in that frantic first half. Andrew Nembhard also played one of his most balanced games of the year, finishing with 19 points and a double-double with 10 assists. He’s starting to look like the floor general Indiana desperately needs if they want to climb out of the Eastern Conference basement.
Why the Pelicans Faltered
New Orleans didn't exactly play "bad" basketball. Zion Williamson was incredibly efficient, going 10-for-12 for 27 points. But the Pelicans' road woes are becoming a serious narrative. They are now 3-16 away from home.
The depth just wasn't there for them. While the Pacers had five players in double figures (including Quenton Jackson and Aaron Nesmith with 12 apiece), the Pelicans relied too heavily on their starters. Trey Murphy III struggled with his shot, going 7-of-21, even though he hit five threes. When your high-volume shooter is having an off night like that, it's tough to win on the road.
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What’s Next for Indiana?
The question of what is the score of the Indiana Pacers game won't stay answered for long. They have zero time to celebrate because they are heading to Detroit tonight, January 17, to face the Pistons.
This is the start of a grueling five-game road trip. They’ll hit Philadelphia on Monday before a massive test against the Celtics on Wednesday. If you're a fan, you're looking at this 127-119 win as a potential springboard. They’ve now won four of their last five games.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Jay Huff/Siakam dynamic: If Huff continues to be a threat from deep, it opens up the lane for Siakam to operate. Keep an eye on their "high-low" sets in the Detroit game.
- Betting trends: The Pacers have been hitting the "Over" lately. With their offense clicking but their defense still allowing 119 points to a struggling Pelicans team, high-scoring games are likely to continue.
- Injury Report: Keep a close eye on the late-night scratch list for the Detroit game. Playing a back-to-back after such a high-intensity home win often leads to "load management" for veterans like Siakam.
The Pacers finally showed they can close out a game when it gets tight in the fourth. For a team that has spent most of the season near the bottom of the standings, this win felt like more than just another tally in the column. It felt like they finally found their rhythm.