Nets End Season Openers Losing Streak With 98-90 Win Over Pacers

Michael Porter Jr. scored 23 points and Julius Randle added 20 to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 98-90 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. The result gave Brooklyn its first victory of the season.

Day'Ron Sharpe recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Nets controlled the boards throughout the game, holding a 43-37 advantage in total rebounds. The team shot 38% from the field in the first half to maintain a 43-40 halftime lead.

Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 23 points, while Pascal Siakam contributed 17. Indiana struggled from deep, making only four of 20 three-point attempts. The Pacers finished the game shooting 32% from the field.

Brooklyn built a 12-point lead three separate times during the third quarter. The Pacers responded in the opening minutes of the final frame, cutting the deficit to 75-72 with consecutive three-pointers from Larry Nance Jr. and Nembhard. Indiana never got closer than three points for the remainder of the game.

Both teams played sluggishly early, with the Nets taking a 12-10 lead on a Randle three-pointer with under five minutes left in the first quarter. That basket erased the Pacers' last lead of the game at 10-9. Brooklyn pushed its advantage to 71-62 after three quarters as shooting improved in the second half.

The Pacers played without forward Obi Toppin, who missed his second straight game with a lower back injury. Coach Rick Carlisle stated that Toppin is progressing and could play on Monday. Center Ivica Zubac remained out with a left ankle sprain. Guard Tyrese Haliburton is expected to sit out for at least another 10 days due to a hamstring strain.

Nets rookie Mikel Brown Jr. sat out for load management to rest his back ahead of a Monday night game against the New York Knicks. The Nets travel to New York on Monday night, while the Pacers host Atlanta in the same window.