: For Brooklyn, E.J. Liddell provided a bright spot, matching Toppin with 26 points and 10 rebounds of his own. Despite his efforts and 19 points from Ben Saraf , the Nets' offense sputtered, shooting just 37% from the field as their two-game winning streak came to a crashing halt.
: Indiana didn't wait for the Nets to find their rhythm. They raced to a staggering 31–14 lead in the first quarter, fueled by a selfless offense that eventually tallied 32 assists on 40 made baskets. NBA Indiana Pacers Vs Brooklyn Nets
Heading into their April 9 matchup, the narrative wasn't about star power, but about who would step up in the absence of the elite. Indiana was even missing head coach , who was away attending his daughter's spring formal, leaving Lloyd Pierce to lead the squad. : For Brooklyn, E
By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Pacers had snapped their own three-game skid and proven that even in a season defined by injury and adversity, their system could still overwhelm an opponent. Brooklyn Nets vs Indiana Pacers Mar 22, 2025 Game Summary : Indiana didn't wait for the Nets to find their rhythm
dominated the glass with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
The 2025–26 season was a grueling test for both teams. The Pacers faced a "nightmare" year, losing star guard Tyrese Haliburton to a ruptured Achilles during the previous year's Finals, forcing him to miss the entire current campaign. Brooklyn, meanwhile, was navigating a youth-heavy rebuild with a roster featuring several 2025 draft picks.
