Emotions ran excessive at the Pacers’ home opener in an surprising approach.
The 2025 Eastern Conference champions, who welcomed back Tyrese Haliburton for his first home recreation since he tore his Achilles during Game 7 of the NBA Finals 16 months in the past, discovered themselves on the receiving finish of a dominant Mavericks efficiency.
But during the contest, as the Mavs, who won 121-105, continued constructing a monstrous lead, Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith delivered a laborious foul to rising star Cooper Flagg on a dunk try shortly before halftime.
Things instantly got chippy after the laborious foul as Flagg subsequently went to the locker room with a shoulder damage.
Nesmith was tagged with a flagrant foul, and he also obtained a double technical foul for his involvement in the subsequent skirmish, as did Mavericks wing Naji Marshall, who inserted himself into the motion in protection of his injured teammate.
Cooper Flagg (32) is fouled on a drive by Pacers swingman Aarom Nesmith on Oct. 23, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Flagg continued to nurse his injured shoulder as he walked to the locker room space before the finish of the first half.
Mavs head coach Dusty May later said Flagg would be evaluated over the next couple of days.
Cooper Flagg holds his shoulder after being fouled during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 23, 2026. Getty Images
Flagg did not return to the contest, but the Mavs held on for the victory anyway, enhancing to 1-1 on the 12 months, dropping Indiana to the same report.
Flagg, who started the season with 32 factors in 33 minutes in Houston, completed his two quarters in Indiana with 14 factors, six assists, 5 rebounds and three steals in just 17 minutes.
Aaron Nesmith (23) of the Indiana Pacers and Naji Marshall (3) of the Dallas Mavericks change phrases during the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 23, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images
Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23) and Dallas Mavericks ahead Naji Marshall (3) get into it after a foul in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Mavericks fly to Dallas and will play the second of a back-to-back on Saturday against the defending Western Conference champion Spurs.
The Pacers head to Brooklyn to take on the Nets on Sunday.
Source hyperlink
