Suns Dominate Injury-Hit Pacers as NBA Season Continues

Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks combined for 65 points Thursday as the Suns cruised past the injury-plagued Indiana Pacers, winning 133-98. The blowout marked Indiana’s sixth consecutive loss, leaving them tied for the worst record in the NBA at 1-11 alongside the Washington Wizards.

The Pacers continue to struggle without star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in last season’s NBA Finals and is expected to miss the entire year. Indiana was also missing key players including Obi Toppin, Bennedict Mathurin, Quenton Jackson, Kam Jones, and ailing Cody Martin. Aaron Nesmith left Thursday’s game in the third quarter with a left knee injury after getting tangled with a teammate, though coach Rick Carlisle said he hoped the issue was “not very serious” and that Nesmith would miss only some time.

Booker led the Suns with 33 points, while Brooks added 32, helping Phoenix build a commanding lead that peaked at 46 points. Oso Ighodaro contributed 17 points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots off the bench. The victory extended the Suns’ winning streak to five games and improved their record to 8-5, placing them seventh in the Western Conference. Phoenix has shown resilience this season despite a rebuild that involved trading Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal and hiring first-year coach Jordan Ott.

Elsewhere in the league, the Atlanta Hawks edged past the Utah Jazz 132-122 in a game defined by Jalen Johnson’s outstanding triple-double of 31 points, 18 rebounds, and 14 assists, along with seven steals. Onyeka Okongwu added 32 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots, including a career-high eight three-pointers. Utah forward Lauri Markkanen scored 40 points, but the Jazz could not overcome Atlanta’s early lead, which reached 18 points in the first half.

In Cleveland, the Toronto Raptors pulled off a 126-113 victory over the Cavaliers. Scottie Barnes posted 28 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists for Toronto. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 31 points, but the Cavs could not sustain their performance one night after beating the Miami Heat on the road.

The Suns’ dominant performance against Indiana highlights the impact of injuries on the Pacers, who have now suffered their worst loss of the season. Phoenix continues its strong start amid a rebuilding year, while other teams like Atlanta and Toronto show that even short-handed squads can make a statement early in the season.

The NBA season remains unpredictable, with injuries, standout individual performances, and unexpected victories shaping the standings as teams push toward the midseason mark.