Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) drives against Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam (43) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New York, Wednesday, April 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)
NEW YORK (AP) — Cam Thomas scored 27 points, rookie Noah Clowney had a career-high 22 and the Brooklyn Nets outlasted the Indiana Pacers 115-111 on Wednesday night to split a home-and-home set.
The Nets were eliminated from postseason contention when Atlanta beat Detroit at home to wrap up at least a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Brooklyn last missed the playoffs in 2017-18.
Mikal Bridges added 17 points, and Nic Claxton had 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Nets had lost their previous two games, the last a 133-111 loss in Indianapolis on Monday night.
Pascal Siakam scored 26 points and Tyrese Haliburton had 24 for Indiana. The Pacers had won three in a row.
Brooklyn fell behind by 14 points in the first half and then led by 13 points in the third quarter. Haliburton sparked a 10-2 spurt with seven points of his own, including a 16-foot jumper that cut it to 88-87 with 37 seconds left in the quarter.
The Nets led 100-95 with 5:57 left in regulation, but Siakam outscored them 11-3 and put Indiana ahead 106-103 with. 2:16 to play,
After Claxton’s dunk, Siakam answered with a basket before Bridges hit a 3-pointer in front of the Indiana bench to even it a 108 with 1:23 left.
Indiana called a timeout and Siakam committed an offensive foul driving to the basket. Dennis Schroder hit a 3-pointer and Clowney made two free throws to make it 112-108 with 40 seconds left.
Haliburton then hit a 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining, and Jalen Wilson sealed it with two free throws.
UP NEXT
Pacers: Host Oklahoma City on Friday night.
Nets: Host Detroit on Saturday night.
