The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 89-80, in the Orlando Summer League at Amway Center on Thursday.
Battling for third place is not the most enviable task, but these teams left it all on the floor in this consolation matchup. There were six ties and five lead changes in total, with neither team leading by more than nine points, which happened to be the final margin. Winning the battle on the glass was the difference for the Pacers, as they outrebounded the Thunder, 39-26.
Daniel Hamilton was Oklahoma City’s best player, accumulating 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Semaj Christon led the Thunder in scoring, dropping 21 points to go with four assists and two steals. Josh Huestis finished with 16 points and six rebounds, while Dylan Ennis provided 14 points and five boards of his own.
Jarnell Stokes led Indiana’s starters with 17 points, three rebounds and two assists. Naz Long matched those 17 points, while adding five rebounds to lead the bench. Travis Leslie chipped in 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Jordan Loyd accrued seven points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
