Pacers blow 24-point lead in wild final .4 seconds vs Clippers

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See photos as Indiana Pacers host LA Clippers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) goes up for a basket against LA Clippers forward John Collins (20) on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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See photos as Indiana Pacers host LA Clippers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

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See photos as Indiana Pacers host LA Clippers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) goes up for a basket against LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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See photos as Indiana Pacers host LA Clippers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) guards LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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See photos as Indiana Pacers host LA Clippers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

LA Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) waits on the sideline to enter the game Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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See photos as Indiana Pacers host LA Clippers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

LA Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) guards Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle calls out to his team Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) guards LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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LA Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (5), Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) and LA Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) go for the ball Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) celebrates a basket Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Fans reach up for T-shirts on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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See photos as Indiana Pacers host LA Clippers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) drives to the basket against LA Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) goes up for a basket against LA Clippers forward John Collins (20) on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) reacts to a call Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) drives to the basket against LA Clippers forward Isaiah Jackson (23) on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS — Darius Garland scored 30 points and Kawhi Leonard scored 28, including what turned out to be the game-winning jumper with 0.4 seconds to go, to give the Clippers a 114-113 win over the Pacers on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Pacers have lost 18 of their last 19 and fell to 16-58, the worst record in the NBA. The Clippers improved to 38-36 with their fourth straight win.

Former Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin scored 17 points in his first game back in Gainbridge Fieldhouse with the Clippers since he was trade in February. Center Brook Lopez had 16 points and nine rebounds. Forward Aaron Nesmith led the Pacers with 26 points. Forward Obi Toppin had 20 and point guard Andrew Nembhard had 13 points and 10 assists.

Here are three observations.

Clippers erase 24-point deficit, win in wild finish

The Pacers took control of the game early with a 42-21 first quarter edge, one of the strongest periods of their season, but the Clippers chipped away at the lead the rest of the game and had the game tied heading into the fourth. The Pacers and Clippers went shot-for-shot throughout the fourth and the Clippers took the lead on Kawhi Leonard’s jumper out of a timeout with 0.4 seconds to go.

On the Pacers’ ensuing sideline out-of-bounds play, Andrew Nembhard tried to lob the ball at the bucket for a tip-in but ended up making the shot, which goes as a turnover. On the next possession, Aaron Nesmith fouled Bennedict Mathurin before he caught the pass. Mathurin missed both free throws and Pascal Siakam grabbed the rebound and called timeout. The Pacers actually drew a foul and Jay Huff had a chance to win the game at the free throw line with 0.1 seconds left but missed both shots.

The Pacers made 16 of 26 first-quarter field goals and 8 of 11 3-pointers in the first period, posting 1.56 points per possession. They shot 44.2% from the floor the rest of the game and made 8 of 26 3-pointers. The Pacers and Clippers both made 10 field goals and three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter but the Clippers made three more free throws that ultimately gave the Clippers the edge.

The Pacers led 111-105 with 1:28 to play thanks to an Aaron Nesmith 3-pointer and 113-108 thanks to an Obi Toppin tip dunk with one minute left. However, Leonard hit a jumper, Nesmith missed a 3 and Ben Sheppard fouled Darius Garland on the rebound, Garland made both free throws and Pascal Siakam missed a jumper with 10 seconds left. The Clippers brought the ball down the floor and called timeout with three seconds to go and Leonard hit a foul-line jumper over contests from both Nesmith and Huff for what was ultimately the game-winner.

Aaron Nesmith goes for more than 20 points again

The month of March has helped Aaron Nesmith find a shooting and scoring rhythm he’s been looking for all season. On Friday night, Nesmith was the Pacers’ most reliable option, making 10 of his 14 field goals and 4 of his 5 3-pointers for 26 points. It was his seventh double-figure scoring performance in his last eight games and it marked the third time this month he’s scored at least 25 points.

Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson

Friday’s game marked the second opportunity for Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson to play against their old teammates but the first time back in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They were warmly greeted with a tribute video during the first timeout in the first quarter and then both cheered individually when they checked in the game.

Neither found operating easy though. Mathurin battled head-to-head with 2022 draft classmate Andrew Nembhard as they guarded each other in the first half and got into each other. Nembhard seemed bound and determined not to let Mathurin have anything easy, even if it meant fouling him. At halftime, Mathurin was 0 of 3 from the floor, but he had eight points on 8-of-8 shooting at the free throw line.

Mathurin finally got two field goals in the second half but he still finished 2 of 8 from the field. However he was 12 of 15 from the line and finished with 17 points as well as seven rebounds, an assist and a. steal. Jackson, who has been very effective recently for the Clippers finished with four points on 2 of 2 shooting and also grabbed four rebounds.

Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs Clippers: Indiana blows 24-point lead in wild final .4 seconds

Pacers blow 24-point lead in wild final .4 seconds vs Clippers

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