NBA: Raptors erupt early, stave off Pacers' late charge

Indiana Pacers rally from a 27-point deficit but fall 115-101 to the Toronto Raptors, as Brandon Ingram scores 30 and Scottie Barnes adds 26 points and 13 assists to seal the win. Pascal Siakam leads Indiana with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but the Pacers’ comeback falls short.

FIELD LEVEL MEDIA / Reuters

January 15, 2026

Andrew Nembhard of the Indiana Pacers shoots as Brandon Ingram of the Toronto Raptors defends during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 14, 2026.

Trevor Ruszkowski / Reuters

Through much of Wednesday night’s game, the Indiana Pacers’ hopes of extending their season-high three-game win streak seemed unlikely against the Toronto Raptors.

The Pacers managed to cut what had been a 27-point deficit in the second quarter down to just four points, but Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes closed out the game for Toronto in a 115-101 triumph in Indianapolis.

Ingram led all scorers with 30 points and added seven rebounds, while Barnes contributed 26 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds. The Raptors secured their seventh win in the last 10 games.

Indiana’s leading scorer, Pascal Siakam, struggled early, failing to score until the second quarter. He bounced back, scoring 10 points in the second quarter and another 12 in the third, finishing the night with a team-high 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Toronto’s lead shrank to single digits when Andrew Nembhard hit a jumper with 8:09 remaining, cutting the Pacers’ deficit to nine. A Nembhard layup with 5:35 to play brought Indiana within four, but Ingram and Barnes quickly responded, scoring the Raptors’ final 12 points. Ingram made back-to-back three-pointers and added another basket, while Barnes added two jumpers to secure the win.

Barnes, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, scored 10 points in the first quarter, while Ingram added eight as Toronto jumped to a 15-4 lead early and led 39-18 after the first 12 minutes. The Raptors shot 73% from the field (16 of 22), including 80% from three-point range (4 of 5), in the opening quarter.

Gradey Dick posted his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds, including three baskets late in the first quarter, sparking a strong performance. Dick had scored only 15 points in his previous four games.

Collin Murray-Boyles also recorded a double-double for Toronto with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

For Indiana, Nembhard and Quenton Jackson each scored 14 points. Jarace Walker added 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while Johnny Furphy finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

—Field Level Media/Reuters