D'Angelo Russell and Zaire Williams scored 22 apiece but the Nets blew a late lead and eventually fell to Indiana 105-99.
Trendon Watford was ejected in the fourth quarter after shoving Myles Turner and Brooklyn lost a bit of its mojo.
The Nets shot just 35.6 percent from the field and was out-rebounded 57-47.
Jordi Fernandez and company will have a second chance to beat Rick Carlisle's Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.