On Thursday evening (March 20) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, followers obtained all of it — controversy, ejections, and a dramatic end. When the mud settled, the Indiana Pacers pulled off a 105-99 additional time win towards the Brooklyn Nets, however not earlier than tempers flared and fists almost flew.
Chaos Erupts As Trendon Watford and Myles Turner Conflict
With 4:48 left within the fourth quarter, Indiana trailed Brooklyn 84-79 when Bennedict Mathurin made a layup. Because the Nets known as a timeout, Trendon Watford let his feelings get the most effective of him, shoving Andrew Nembhard with a forearm.
Pacers large man Myles Turner wasn’t about to let it slide. Charging to Nembhard’s protection, Turner obtained in Watford’s face, and all of a sudden, the courtroom erupted. Gamers from each side rushed in, voices have been raised and tensions boiled over. The scuffle spilled onto the sideline, proper throughout from Brooklyn’s bench, earlier than officers and coaches restored order.
Courtside view of the Pacers vs Nets struggle.
Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, Andrew Nembhard going at it with the Nets gamers. pic.twitter.com/FjhqOLGlcw
— JD, J.D. (@JoshDhani) March 21, 2025
Watford, who had 15 factors at that time, was hit with two technical fouls and ejected. Turner and Nembhard every acquired a technical foul, however no free throws have been taken.
That wasn’t the tip of the drama. Lower than a minute into additional time, Nembhard was whistled for a foul. Upset with the decision, he turned to referee Tony Brothers to vent his frustration — a expensive mistake. Brothers instantly hit Nembhard with a technical foul — his second of the sport — resulting in his ejection.
Nembhard, who had been Indiana’s hero within the staff’s earlier win over Dallas, exited with 9 factors and watched the remaining from the locker room.
Bennedict Mathurin’s Brilliance and Turner’s Clutch Play Gas Indiana Pacers’ Comeback
Regardless of the strain, the Pacers didn’t again down. Mathurin stepped up when it mattered most, main the cost with an enormous efficiency. The younger star scored 28 factors and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, powering Indiana to its third straight win.
Turner, again after lacking 13 video games with an harm, additionally got here up large late. With 14 seconds left in regulation, Mathurin was fouled on a 3-point try by Brooklyn’s Keon Johnson. Mathurin calmly knocked down all three free throws to tie the sport at 91 and power additional time.
The Pacers held sturdy, and within the closing moments of OT, Turner made the play of the evening — a clutch block that helped seal the 105-99 win. He completed with 23 factors and 10 rebounds, making an affect on each ends.
Brooklyn obtained sturdy efforts from D’Angelo Russell and Ziaire Williams, who every scored 22 factors, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient. The Nets got here searching for a struggle — they obtained one, they usually misplaced.
