In Domantas Sabonis’ return, Pacers win by scoring a record 152 points
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Domantas Sabonis made an emphatic return Saturday night.
The 24-year-old Lithuanian center had a triple-double … by halftime.
Doug McDermott equaled a career high of 31 points, and the Pacers set a franchise record for points in one game in a 152-95 road romp over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers made 21 3-pointers, another franchise record.
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Cassius Stanley sent the Pacers past 150 on a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left.
More: Insider: Where do Indiana Pacers go from here with rookie Cassius Stanley?
The Pacers shot 65.5% and were ahead by as many as 67 points (149-82), the largest lead in the NBA this season. Previous high was 61 by Toronto over Golden State. The Pacers became the sixth to have a 50-point lead.
Sabonis scored 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting. He added 19 rebounds and 14 assists in 30 minutes. He became the first player with a 20-point triple-double by halftime over the past 25 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
McDermott tied a career high with six 3s (6-of-8). Caris LeVert added 25 points.
Since he last played April 18, Sabonis missed six games with a back injury. But he went through shootaround in the morning and was OK’d to play 45 minutes before tipoff.
The Pacers shot 70% in their highest-scoring first half of the season, building an 82-46 lead. It was the second-largest halftime bulge in franchise history.
Everything revolved around Sabonis. He allowed for better spacing, passed to teammates for baskets, maneuvered down low and swished 3-pointers.
The Pacers began by shooting 6-of-6 and did not relent against the young Thunder. McDermott scored 16 points in the first quarter, featuring 4-of-3 on 3s.
Edmond Sumner scored 10 points in 12 minutes but left the game with a bruised left knee.
The battered Pacers were without Malcolm Brogdon. He injured his right hamstring and left after the first quarter of Thursday’s home loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Pacers coach Nate Bjorkgren said Brogdon went through shootaround but that the guard was not ready to play.
Still out are Goga Bitadze (left ankle), Jeremy Lamb (left knee) and JaKarr Sampson (concussion protocol). Sampson, who also exited during Thursday’s game, was not on the flight to Oklahoma City. The Pacers have also been playing without Myles Turner (right foot).
The Pacers (30-33) are trying to cling to one of the 10 spots in the expanded Eastern Conference playoffs. The Thunder (21-43) are 2-19 over the past 21 games.
Contact IndyStar reporter David Woods at david.woods@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: In Domantas Sabonis’ return, Pacers win by scoring a record 152 points