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Published Jan 14, 2026 • 4 minute read
Collin Murray-Boyles
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, right, shoots around the defense of Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis on, Wednesday. Photo by AJ Mast /The Associated Press
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Three starters were unavailable, a rotational player was sidelined in the wake of an illness, and the Raptors’ margin for error was severely reduced.
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The good news on this night happened to be Toronto’s opponent, as the Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers 115-101.
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The Indiana Pacers are a shell of last year’s team when they advanced all the way to the NBA Finals.
At least the Pacers will get a high draft pick and star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will be back for the start of next season following his Achilles tear suffered in Game 7 of the championship final against Oklahoma City.
In the interim, losing will continue for the Pacers, who entered their meeting with the Raptors riding a three-game win streak after enduring a franchise-high 13-game losing streak.
To their credit, the Pacers refused to throw in the towel Wednesday night.
Big game from Barnes, Ingram
While Toronto was shorthanded, it did have the two best players in Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, with all due respect to Pascal Siakam, the former Raptor who was named MVP of last spring’s Eastern Conference final.
Indy had no answer for Ingram in the half court, while Barnes was at his absolute playmaking best.
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Once Indy recovered from its aborted start, it competed hard and made the Raptors work on every possession.
Indy made its run in the fourth quarter when it went with a zone defence, something the Raptors are accustomed to seeing from their opponents given Toronto’s poor three-point prowess.
The more shots missed, and there were many, the more the Pacers were able to cut into Toronto’s lead.
Suddenly, the Raptors were under duress until Ingram bailed them out by making some clutch shots from distance after Indy came all the way back to make it a four-point game.
Ingram had a 30-point game to lead the Raptors’ offence and was at his best when the Raptors needed him to be.
Not to be overlooked was a big three drained by Jamal Shead, a shot that seemed to settle down the Raptors as the Pacers were poised to actually take the lead.
The following are three takeaways from a victory as the Raptors begin the second half of their season on a winning note after ending the first half with a loss.
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1. Big game from Dick
When he has been at his best, Gradey Dick is playing with energy and confidence, oozing a playfulness that seems to fuel his game.
The entire Dick experience was on display early at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
On one sequence, he was a bit overzealous while heaving quick threes, with each missing their mark.
Overall, Dick had one of his finest moments of the season, which also highlights how disappointing his play has been.
Wednesday night, he was looking to score, while also being fearless in attacking the boards.
He ended the night posting his first-career double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles also recorded a double-double as the kid was once again asked to start at centre.
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2. Small Ball
No Jakob Poeltl (back), no Sandro Mamukelashvili (illness), no need to panic on a night the Raptors were devoid of size.
In normal times, size does matter in the NBA, especially when it’s a Raptors team whose rebounding deficiency has been well documented this season.
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Toronto is among the least effective rebounding teams in the NBA.
Believe it or not, the Pacers are even less proficient when it comes to cleaning the glass.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was forced to call more timeouts than his team made baskets in the early moments.
In terms of size among the Raptors’ available players, 6-foot-9 Jonathan Mogbo held the distinction.
Immanuel Quickley (back) was also unavailable for the Raptors, an absence that launched Barnes into the role of facilitator.
3. Battle Scars
With Ingram and Barnes entrusted to initiate the offence, it was incumbent on the Raptors to spread the floor.
Enter Jamison Battle, who made a rare start Wednesday night.
His left-handed release is not the form anyone should emulate, but when his feet are set and when open looks are created Battle has shown his ability to knock down threes.
Next to rebounding, another issue that must somehow get addressed involves three-point shooting, which became a major source of concern in the fourth quarter.
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While he can emerge as a perimeter presence, Battle’s game is one-dimensional.
Late in the first half, Battle established defensive positioning just outside the restricted area and took a charge on a driving Siakam, who was justifiably charged with the offensive foul.
Battle did leave the game five minutes into the third quarter because of a right ankle sprain.
He was ruled out of the game, reducing Toronto’s roster to nine available bodies.
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Up Next
The Raptors return home, but their stay will be short-lived knowing a five-game Western trip awaits beginning with a date in L.A. against the Lakers Sunday night; Friday, Raps are home to the NBA’s other L.A.-based team in the Clippers, whose season has been marred by more off-court headlines than any on-court achievements; mind you, James Harden did pass Shaquille O’Neal for ninth place on the NBA’s career-scoring list Monday night in a win over Charlotte.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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