Blazers spoil Siakam's debut, Haliburton's return with win over Pacers

Pascal Siakam made his IndianaPacers debut on Friday night, but the Portland Trail Blazersspoiled the party by beating Indy, 118-115, at the ModaCenter.

The Blazers, who currently havethe second-worst record in the Western Conference, captured a rarewin behind big performances from veterans Jerami Grant and MalcolmBrogdon.

Grant finished with 37 points on14-of-28 from the field, while Brogdon filled the stat sheet with30 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

Grant and Brogdon carried theoffensive load for Portland, who were without young stars AnferneeSimons and Shaedon Sharpe in the game. Then, in the second half,the Blazers lost 2023 No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson after hesuffered a nasal contusion. Henderson had 10 points athalftime.

The 29-year-old Siakam, who wastraded to Indiana from the Toronto Raptors, scored 21 points on 65%shooting from the field. Siakam's Pacers debut coincided withTyrese Haliburton's return from a hamstring injury, and the two arestarting the process of developing chemistry and learning to playtogether.

Haliburton, who played for thefirst time since Jan. 2, racked up 21 points and 17 assists with 0turnovers. This marked his sixth career 20+ point, 15+ assist gamewith no turnovers — the most in NBA history.

Indiana's stars played well, asMyles Turner also contributed 29 points and 12 rebounds with 6triples, including one to cut the lead down to 3 points. However,the Pacers just could not get it done at the end with theircomeback being a little too late.

The Pacers are now 24-18 (tiedfor the sixth-best record in the East) and will head to Phoenix toface the Suns and try to get their first win of the Siakamera.