Minnesota brought the outside shooting. Indiana brought an offense that kept finding answers.
The Pacers defeated the Timberwolves 123–112 in preseason action, pairing hot shooting with 39 assists and a decisive advantage in the paint. Minnesota knocked down 19 three-pointers, but Indiana’s efficiency and scoring depth proved too much to overcome.
Aaron Nesmith led the Pacers with 19 points in just 16 minutes, shooting 7-for-9 from the field and 4-for-6 from three. Jay Huff added 16 points, including two triples, while Ben Sheppard scored 13 and connected on three of his five attempts from beyond the arc. Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin each contributed 10 points.
Indiana did not need a huge scoring night from Tyrese Haliburton, who finished with seven points in 16 minutes. The scoring was spread throughout the lineup, and the team recorded assists on 39 of its 48 made field goals. That is an encouraging preseason sign for an offense that wants multiple players involved.
The Pacers shot 53.3% from the field and 53.1% from three, making 17 of their 32 attempts. They also outscored Minnesota 50–28 in the paint. Indiana’s production inside gave it another source of offense alongside its perimeter shooting.
For Minnesota, Anthony Edwards delivered 19 points in 20 minutes, going 5-for-10 from the field and 4-for-5 from three. Jaden McDaniels scored 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting, including four triples, while LaMelo Ball added 14 points and went 4-for-6 from deep.
Edwards, McDaniels and Ball combined to shoot 12-for-17 from three. Their accuracy was Minnesota’s strongest offensive takeaway, although the Timberwolves finished at 43.5% from the field overall. Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland each added 10 points.
Jonathan Kuminga had a difficult shooting night, finishing with two points on 1-for-9 shooting. One preseason performance does not define his fit, but finding more consistent production around Minnesota’s leading scorers remains something to watch.
Both teams committed 20 total turnovers. Indiana converted Minnesota’s mistakes into 28 points, while the Timberwolves scored 22 off Pacers turnovers. Ball security needs work on both sides before the regular season begins.
| Team statistic | Timberwolves | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 112 | 123 |
| Field goals | 37–85 (43.5%) | 48–90 (53.3%) |
| Three-pointers | 19–41 (46.3%) | 17–32 (53.1%) |
| Free throws | 19–23 | 10–11 |
| Assists | 22 | 39 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 50 |
| Points off turnovers | 22 | 28 |
| Rebounds | 40 | 43 |
| Total turnovers | 20 | 20 |
The S³ takeaway: preseason results carry limited weight, but the performances offer clues. Indiana showed productive ball movement and scoring throughout its rotation. Minnesota showed dangerous perimeter potential, while allowing 123 points and 50 in the paint exposed areas that need attention. With Edwards and Ball playing only 20 minutes apiece, this was an early look at the Timberwolves’ possibilities and the work still ahead.
