Pacers Stun Grizzlies 107-103 as Nesmith's Late Three Seals Comeback Win
MEMPHIS — The Indiana Pacers stunned the Memphis Grizzlies 107-103 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at FedExForum, closing with a late surge that snapped a five-game losing streak and handed one of the Western Conference's early pacesetters a second straight defeat. Aaron Nesmith's 23-foot three-pointer with 14 seconds left, assisted by Pascal Siakam, sealed the Pacers Grizzlies 107-103 result after Memphis had cut the lead to a single point in the final seconds, giving Indiana a road win few had predicted against a Grizzlies side that had started the season 6-1.
Indiana entered the game at 2-6 and desperate for a win after five consecutive defeats. Instead of folding when Memphis took the lead in the third quarter, the Pacers steadied themselves, won a tense fourth quarter 27-21 and made the decisive plays when the game was on the line. The victory lifted Indiana to 3-6, while Memphis fell to 6-2 after losing for the second time in three days.
Key Points
- Indiana beat Memphis 107-103 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at FedExForum, snapping a five-game losing streak.
- Aaron Nesmith's 23-foot three-pointer with 14 seconds left, assisted by Pascal Siakam, sealed the win at 107-103.
- Andrew Nembhard led Indiana with 22 points and 5 assists on 8-of-15 shooting, while Siakam added 20 points and Nesmith scored 16.
- Cedric Coward and Ty Jerome each scored 23 points for Memphis, and Zach Edey added 11 points and 13 rebounds.
- Grizzlies centre Isaiah Stewart left after the first half with a right knee injury and was doubtful to return.
What Happened
Indiana made the faster start, leading 32-24 after the first quarter and holding a 54-52 advantage at halftime. Memphis responded after the break, winning the third quarter 30-26 to take the lead into the final period, and the game stayed tight to the end, with 16 lead changes and 9 ties across the night.
The fourth quarter belonged to the visitors. Indiana outscored Memphis 27-21 in the final period, repeatedly answering Memphis baskets and refusing to let the home crowd swing the game. With the finish approaching, Ty Jerome cut Indiana's lead to 104-103, setting up a final-possession finish that could have gone either way.
Instead, Indiana executed under pressure. Siakam found Nesmith, whose 23-foot three-pointer with 14 seconds remaining pushed the lead to 107-103 and ended the argument.
Nembhard's all-round performance set the tone. His 22 points came on efficient 8-of-15 shooting, and his 5 assists helped Indiana keep the ball moving against a Memphis defence that had made life difficult for most opponents in the early weeks of the season. Siakam's 20 points gave Indiana a second reliable scoring option, and Nesmith's 16 points included the shot that mattered most.
For Memphis, Coward and Jerome each finished with 23 points, but their efforts were not enough to protect home court. Edey contributed 11 points and 13 rebounds, giving Memphis a presence inside, yet the Grizzlies could not find a final stop when they needed one most.
Background and Context
The result was a sharp change of fortune for both teams. Indiana arrived in Memphis on a five-game losing streak, having won only twice in its first eight games, and a road trip to face a 6-1 Grizzlies side looked like a difficult place to turn things around. Memphis, by contrast, had opened the season strongly and entered the night as one of the form teams in the West.
Memphis had already suffered a painful defeat earlier in the week, losing 135-134 in overtime to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, November 2, a result that ended the Grizzlies' unbeaten start. Wednesday's loss made it two defeats in three days and showed that even strong starts can be fragile when late-game execution slips.
Pacers Grizzlies 107-103: How Indiana Closed the Game
The closing sequence showed why Indiana won. Trailing the momentum after Memphis won the third quarter, the Pacers did not panic, and their fourth-quarter defence held Memphis to 21 points. When Jerome cut the gap to 104-103, Indiana still had a play ready, and Siakam's assist to Nesmith produced a clean look from 23 feet.
Nesmith's shot was the defining moment of the game, but the platform was built earlier. Nembhard's scoring and playmaking kept Indiana in front for much of the first half, Siakam's 20 points kept Memphis honest throughout, and the Pacers' willingness to share the ball in the final period produced the open shot when it counted.
Reactions
The result will have been felt very differently in the two locker rooms. For Indiana, ending a five-game losing streak with a comeback win on the road offers relief and a reference point for how the team wants to play in close games. For Memphis, a second straight home defeat, after the overtime loss to New Orleans, turns a flying start into a short losing run that the Grizzlies will want to stop quickly.
Why It Matters
Early-season results can be misleading, but losing streaks and winning runs shape a season's direction. Indiana's five-game skid had left the Pacers at 2-6 and searching for answers; a road win over a 6-1 team changes the conversation, at least for now, and gives the Pacers something to build on.
For Memphis, the defeat is a reminder that the Western Conference punishes even brief lapses. Two losses in three days, both at home, have trimmed a strong start to 6-2, and the Grizzlies will need to rediscover the late-game sharpness that carried them through their opening run.
What Happens Next
Indiana will look to turn one comeback win into a run, carrying the confidence of a fourth-quarter road performance into its next games. The challenge now is consistency: repeating the defensive discipline and late-game composure that ended the losing streak, rather than treating Wednesday as an isolated result.
Memphis, meanwhile, must regroup quickly and await news on Stewart's knee. Two straight defeats at home will test the Grizzlies' response, and their next outing becomes an early checkpoint for a team that began the season as one of the league's form sides.
Read more NBA coverage on US News Pulse: the Pelicans' 135-134 overtime win over the Grizzlies, the Celtics' 109-102 win over the Bucks, and the 76ers' 112-106 win over the Pistons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between the Pacers and Grizzlies?
The Indiana Pacers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 107-103 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at FedExForum in Memphis.
Who sealed the win for Indiana?
Aaron Nesmith sealed it with a 23-foot three-pointer with 14 seconds left, assisted by Pascal Siakam, after Ty Jerome had cut Indiana's lead to 104-103.
Who led the Pacers in scoring?
Andrew Nembhard led Indiana with 22 points and 5 assists on 8-of-15 shooting. Pascal Siakam added 20 points and Aaron Nesmith scored 16.
Who led Memphis in scoring?
Cedric Coward and Ty Jerome each scored 23 points for Memphis, while Zach Edey added 11 points and 13 rebounds.
What happened to Isaiah Stewart?
Grizzlies centre Isaiah Stewart left after the first half with a right knee injury and was doubtful to return.
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