Pacers get blown out again, this time it’s Scoot Henderson, Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. — Guard Scoot Henderson scored 28 points as the Trail Blazers defeated the Pacers 131-111 on Sunday night at Moda Center.

The Pacers suffered a nine-game losing streak and dropped to 15-49. They are winless since the All-Star break and currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Trail Blazers have a record of 31 wins and 34 losses, ranking tenth in the Western Conference and occupying the last playoff spot.

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Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday and forward Jerami Grant each scored 21 points. Guard Deni Awija had 18 points and eight assists. Pascal Siakam scored a team-high 22 points for the Pacers. Center Jay Huff scored 16 points. Guard Andrew Nembhard had 14 points and nine assists, forward Jarace Walker had 14 points, and center Micah Potter had 13 points.

Here are three observations.

Pacers fall apart late in second quarter

The second quarter has been a disaster quarter for the Pacers for much of the season, and that was the case again Sunday night.

The Pacers once hit a 16-5 climax in this quarter, and the two teams tied at 30. At 3 minutes and 38 seconds before halftime, the Trail Blazers still led 50-47, and the Pacers were completely in trouble.

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The Trail Blazers went on a 14-0 run, but the Pacers didn’t score a point in three minutes. Jrue Holiday scored six points on two 3-pointers in that period, and Jerami Grant had an easy layup under the basket. Andrew Nembhard finally broke the Pacers’ drought with a three-pointer, but Henderson immediately responded with a three-pointer. Aaron Nesmith connected on a layup from Nembhard, but then Henderson hit a 16-foot pull-up jumper to make it 19-5 in the final 3:38 of the half. The Trail Blazers made 7 of 9 shots during this period and won the second quarter 39-22. They shot 60% in the quarter and scored 1.37 points per possession.

Scott Henderson had his best game of the season

Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft, is finding his path to stardom isn’t as easy as that of Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in that draft. The former G-League Ignite star has been dealing with injury issues and did not play this season until February 6. He entered Sunday’s game averaging 11.7 points per game, but had never scored more than 19 points in a game and had only broken 15 points twice.

But facing the Pacers, who have their worst defense since the All-Star break, he has a chance to have his most efficient night of the season.

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Henderson attacked the basket at will, played in open spaces, and also shot from the outside. He made 10 of 15 shots, including 3 of 7 three-pointers, and scored 28 points. Five of his 10 field goal attempts were layups and he hit both mid-range shots. He also dished out six assists, zero turnovers, and posted +26 in 26 minutes.

TJ McConnell out with right hamstring soreness

Pacers veteran point guard TJ McConnell left the game in the fourth quarter with right hamstring soreness and did not return. McConnell has been dealing with a hamstring injury since the preseason, so that may not be a reason to worry, but it does make him look unlikely to play Tuesday in Sacramento.

McConnell played 17 minutes, scored 6 points on 2-of-7 shooting, and dished out 3 assists.

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Dustin Dopilak has played all season for the Pacers. Get more coverage with IndyStarTV and the Pacers Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Trail Blazers: Scott Henderson lights up Indiana