Game ID: 22500914
Indiana Pacers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Friday, March 6, 2026 at 10:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 35 29 35 29 128IND 27 24 29 37 117
IND @ LAL ScoutingIND @ LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 2/28 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 5 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Dončić back 2/20 after 4, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Ayton back 2/20 after 2, 27 min since (98% of 27)
LAL availability going into 3/01 · back-to-backOUT Hachimura missed 2 since 2/26, returns tonight: 22 min (75% of 30)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 6 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Dončić back 2/20 after 4, 35 min since (99% of 36)
BACK Ayton back 2/20 after 2, 25 min since (93% of 27)
LAL availability going into 3/03 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 7 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 22 min since (75% of 30)
LAL availability going into 3/05 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 2 since 3/01, returns tonight: 4 min (24% of 17)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 8 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 20 min since (69% of 30)
LAL availability going into 3/06 · back-to-backOUT Smith Jr. missed 9 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 23 min since (78% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 4 min since (24% of 17)
LAL availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 10 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 3 since 3/03, returns tonight: 10 min (97% of 10)
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 23 min since (78% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 13 min since (75% of 17)
LAL availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 2 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 11 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/01 after 2, 26 min since (87% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 12 min since (71% of 17)
BACK Kleber back 3/08 after 3, 10 min since (97% of 10)
LAL availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 3 since 3/06, returns tonight: 33 min (98% of 34)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 12 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 13 min since (75% of 17)
BACK Kleber back 3/08 after 3, 10 min since (97% of 10)
NEW Hayes 18 to 23 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Hayes missed 2 since 3/10, returns tonight: 21 min (116% of 18)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 13 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK James back 3/12 after 3, 33 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/05 after 2, 12 min since (72% of 17)
IND availability going into 2/24 · 1 day's restOUT Nesmith missed 2 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Thompson missed 2 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 55 since 10/29, out tonight
BACK Siakam back 2/22 after 3, 29 min since (88% of 33)
BACK Que. Jackson back 2/10 after 2, 23 min since (127% of 18)
BACK McConnell back 2/20 after 2, 15 min since (85% of 17)
BACK Peter back 2/11 after 3, 30 min since (228% of 13)
NEW Walker 26 to 32 min over the last 4
NEW Potter 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Jones 17 to 27 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 2/26 · 1 day's restOUT Nesmith missed 3 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Thompson missed 3 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 56 since 10/29, returns tonight: 8 min (48% of 18)
OUT Peter missed 2 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Siakam back 2/22 after 3, 29 min since (88% of 33)
BACK McConnell back 2/20 after 2, 15 min since (87% of 17)
NEW Walker 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Potter 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Que. Jackson 18 to 23 min over the last 4
NEW Jones 17 to 29 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 3/01 · 2 days' restOUT Siakam missed 2 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Nesmith missed 4 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Thompson missed 4 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Peter missed 3 since 2/22, returns tonight: 36 min (275% of 13)
BACK Toppin back 2/26 after 56, 8 min since (48% of 18)
BACK McConnell back 2/20 after 2, 16 min since (91% of 17)
NEW Walker 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Potter 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Que. Jackson 18 to 26 min over the last 4
NEW Jones 17 to 26 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 3/04 · 2 days' restOUT Siakam missed 3 since 2/24, returns tonight: 30 min (91% of 33)
OUT Nesmith missed 5 since 2/20, returns tonight: 20 min (66% of 30)
OUT Thompson missed 5 since 2/20, out tonight
BACK Toppin back 2/26 after 56, 10 min since (56% of 18)
BACK McConnell back 2/20 after 2, 15 min since (89% of 17)
BACK Peter back 3/01 after 3, 36 min since (275% of 13)
NEW Potter 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Que. Jackson 18 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Jones 17 to 30 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 3/06 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 6 since 2/20, out tonight
BACK Siakam back 2/22 after 3, 30 min since (89% of 33)
BACK Nesmith back 3/04 after 5, 20 min since (66% of 30)
BACK Toppin back 2/26 after 56, 10 min since (55% of 18)
BACK Peter back 3/01 after 3, 36 min since (275% of 13)
NEW Huff 21 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Que. Jackson 18 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Jones 17 to 28 min over the last 4
IND availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 7 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 2 since 3/04, returns tonight: 5 min (29% of 17)
OUT Peter missed 2 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Siakam back 3/04 after 3, 30 min since (90% of 33)
BACK Nesmith back 3/04 after 5, 21 min since (72% of 30)
BACK Toppin back 2/26 after 56, 10 min since (57% of 18)
NEW Huff 21 to 28 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 8 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Peter missed 3 since 3/04, returns tonight: 5 min (37% of 13)
BACK Siakam back 3/04 after 3, 31 min since (92% of 33)
BACK Nesmith back 3/04 after 5, 22 min since (76% of 30)
BACK Toppin back 2/26 after 56, 10 min since (58% of 18)
BACK Jones back 3/08 after 2, 5 min since (29% of 17)
NEW Huff 21 to 27 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 9 since 2/20, returns tonight: 38 min (187% of 20)
BACK Siakam back 3/04 after 3, 31 min since (92% of 33)
BACK Nesmith back 3/04 after 5, 25 min since (86% of 30)
BACK Jones back 3/08 after 2, 16 min since (94% of 17)
BACK Peter back 3/01 after 3, 20 min since (156% of 13)
NEW Huff 21 to 28 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 3/13 · back-to-backOUT Siakam missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT McConnell missed 2 since 3/10, returns tonight: 20 min (119% of 17)
BACK Nesmith back 3/04 after 5, 25 min since (86% of 30)
BACK Thompson back 3/12 after 9, 38 min since (187% of 20)
BACK Jones back 3/08 after 2, 19 min since (114% of 17)
BACK Peter back 3/10 after 3, 14 min since (111% of 13)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and James at 20 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 131, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Nembhard at 18 and Walker at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Thompson (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 108 a night to Indiana's 131 and the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Indiana's 35. Call it the Lakers 122, Indiana 111, the Lakers by 11.
2/28 @ GSW 129-101 — LAL notes
LAL won 129-101. LAL shot 53% (48 of 90) to GSW's 45%, 19 of 41 from three, and went to the line 20 times to GSW's 9 — 14 points from the stripe to their 7. Dončić led with 26 (9 of 17, 4 of 9 from three); James added 22, Reaves 18. The hinge was Q1, 33-20: from level to 13 ahead, and the lead reached 32. Dončić was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
3/01 vs SAC 128-104 — LAL notes
LAL won 128-104. LAL shot 50% (47 of 94) to SAC's 47%, 18 of 39 from three, and went to the line 22 times to SAC's 15 — 16 points from the stripe to their 14. LAL turned it over 9 times to SAC's 20. The glass went 37-52 against them. Dončić led with 28 (10 of 16, 4 of 8 from three, 4 of 7 at the line); L. James added 24, Reaves 12. The hinge was Q1, 36-18: from level to 18 ahead, and the lead reached 30. Dončić was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
3/03 vs NOP 110-101 — LAL notes
LAL won 110-101. LAL shot 47% (39 of 83) to NOP's 42%, 11 of 37 from three, and went to the line 26 times to NOP's 19 — 21 points from the stripe to their 17. Dončić led with 27 (10 of 22, 3 of 10 from three); James added 21, Reaves 15. The hinge was Q4, 34-23: LAL came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 9. Hayes was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
3/05 @ DEN 113-120 — LAL notes
LAL lost 113-120. LAL took 12 more shots (87 to 75), but shot 52% to DEN's 52%, 13 of 31 from three, and got to the line 15 times to DEN's 31. LAL turned it over 10 times to DEN's 18. Dončić led with 27 (11 of 24, 3 of 10 from three); Hayes added 19, Reaves 16. Q3 was theirs, 32-29, the deficit cut from 10 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 91-81 against them. LaRavia's -16 in 10 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/06 vs IND 128-117 — LAL notes
LAL won 128-117. LAL shot 53% (45 of 85) to IND's 47%, 17 of 37 from three. LAL turned it over 12 times to IND's 7, and IND turned those into 10 steals. Dončić led with 44 (14 of 25, 7 of 14 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Reaves added 19, Kennard 15. The hinge was Q1, 35-27: from level to 8 ahead, and the lead reached 24. Kennard was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
3/08 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 109, shooting 51 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and James at 21 a game. One day's rest. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 98, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Brunson at 20 and Anunoby at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. Without McBride (18 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-13 a night and the Lakers minus-1 and the defense, New York allowing 98 a night to the Lakers' 109. Call it the Lakers 114, New York 113, New York keeping it close.
3/10 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and James at 20 a game. Without James (2 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 30 and Randle at 14 a game. Without Conley (4 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 39 percent from three to Minnesota's 32. Call it the Lakers 115, Minnesota 110.
3/12 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and Reaves at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without James (3 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sexton at 25 and Buzelis at 23 a game. Without Simons (8 straight), Collins (34 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 118, Chicago 112.
3/14 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 114, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 38 and Reaves at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Hayes (2 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 30 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Murray at 26 a game. Without Watson (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the line, where Denver takes 30 free throws a game to the Lakers' 23 and the defense, the Lakers allowing 114 a night to Denver's 122. Call it the Lakers 120, Denver 117, Denver keeping it close.
2/24 vs PHI 114-135 — IND notes
IND lost 114-135. IND shot 43% (41 of 95) to PHI's 58%, 13 of 43 from three. Nembhard led with 23 (8 of 17, 3 of 9 from three); Potter added 23, Jackson 15. Q1 was theirs, 38-30, but the other 3 periods went 105-76 against them. Jackson's -24 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/26 vs CHA 109-133 — IND notes
IND lost 109-133. IND shot 47% (41 of 87) to CHA's 56%, 11 of 35 from three. Nembhard led with 20 (6 of 14, 3 of 6 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Potter added 19, Walker 16. Q1 was theirs, 34-31, but the other 3 periods went 102-75 against them. Huff's -32 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/01 vs MEM 106-125 — IND notes
IND lost 106-125. IND shot 49% (39 of 80) to MEM's 51%, 15 of 39 from three. IND turned it over 18 times to MEM's 12, and MEM turned those into 12 steals. Walker led with 21 (8 of 10, 4 of 5 from three); Potter added 18, Huff 14. Q1 was theirs, 34-34, but the other 3 periods went 91-72 against them. Peter's -22 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/04 @ LAC 107-130 — IND notes
IND lost 107-130. IND shot 43% (36 of 84) to LAC's 55%, 10 of 36 from three, and went to the line 31 times to LAC's 25 — 25 points from the stripe to their 20. Siakam led with 29 (8 of 14, 1 of 3 from three, 12 of 14 at the line); Huff added 18, Walker 17. Q2 was theirs, 26-21, the deficit cut from 17 to 12, but the other 3 periods went 109-81 against them. Siakam's -21 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/06 @ LAL 117-128 — IND notes
IND lost 117-128. IND took 13 more shots (98 to 85), fed by 12 offensive rebounds, but shot 47% to LAL's 53%, 8 of 35 from three. IND turned it over 7 times to LAL's 12. Siakam led with 26 (10 of 20, 0 of 3 from three, 6 of 9 at the line); Nembhard added 17, Huff 16. Q4 was theirs, 37-29, the deficit cut from 19 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 99-80 against them. Nembhard's -14 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/08 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 26 free throws a game; Holiday at 23 and Grant at 21 a game. Without Avdija (6 straight), Sharpe (12 straight), Murray (2 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 130, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Nembhard at 16 and Potter at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Thompson (7 straight), Jones (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the defense, Portland allowing 115 a night to Indiana's 130. Call it Portland 119, Indiana 113.
3/10 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 29 from three, 21 free throws a game; Achiuwa at 19 and Raynaud at 19 a game. Without Murray (5 straight), LaVine (12 straight), Hunter (12 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 129, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Walker at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Thompson (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-0 a night and Indiana minus-9 and the defense, Sacramento allowing 121 a night to Indiana's 129. Call it Sacramento 121, Indiana 114.
3/12 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 126, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Huff at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Thompson (9 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Green at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Brooks (8 straight), Williams (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 107 a night to Indiana's 126 and the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-3 a night and Indiana minus-8. Call it Phoenix 117, Indiana 111.
3/13 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 125, shooting 44 percent and 29 from three, 25 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Nembhard at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Siakam (2 straight), McConnell (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Towns at 23 and Anunoby at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without McBride (21 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-11 a night and Indiana minus-7 and the defense, New York allowing 112 a night to Indiana's 125. Call it New York 119, Indiana 112.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAR A. Reaves
CM C. Mañon
DK D. Knecht
DT D. Timme
DO Doncic
JH J. Hayes
JL J. LaRavia
JV J. Vanderbilt
KB K. Bufkin
LD L. Dončić
LK L. Kennard
MS M. Smart
RH R. Hachimura
INDAN A. Nembhard
AN A. Nesmith
BS B. Sheppard
JH J. Huff
JW J. Walker
KB K. Brown
MP M. Potter
OT O. Toppin
PS P. Siakam
QJ Q. Jackson
TM T. McConnell
LAL/IND the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Luka Doncic scores 44 points in 3 quarters to lead Lakers past Pacers 128-117 without LeBron
LOS ANGELES -- — Luka Doncic scored 44 points in the first three quarters Friday night, overcoming LeBron James ' absence and leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers .
Doncic hit seven 3-pointers on a 14-for-25 shooting night and grabbed nine rebounds before sitting out the fourth for the Lakers, who rebounded from a road loss to Denver on Thursday and won for the fourth time in five games overall.
James sat out to rest his accumulation of minor injuries in his 23rd NBA season, but Doncic picked up any offensive slack from the start. The Slovenian superstar scored 22 points in the first quarter, topping 20 in the opening period for the fifth time this season — the most such first quarters in the NBA in one season at least 30 years.
Doncic capped his barrage by banking in his seventh 3-pointer late in his 15-point third quarter.
Doncic became only the fourth player in Lakers history to score 40 points in at least 10 games in a season, joining Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West . He also has the most 40-point games in the NBA this season, passing Anthony Edwards .
The Lakers only led by 19 entering the fourth, but they increased their lead without Doncic on the floor, ending his night before he could threaten for his eighth career 50-point game.
Austin Reaves scored 19 points before fouling out for only the second time in his career with 4:58 to play. Luke Kennard had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Marcus Smart scored 11 points on his 32nd birthday.
Pascal Siakam scored 26 points and Andrew Nembhard had 17 for the Pacers, who have lost eight straight since the All-Star break, including five consecutive blowout defeats. Indiana went 2 for 19 on 3-point attempts in the first half.
The Lakers also played without starting center Deandre Ayton , who has a knee injury.