Three takeaways from Indiana Pacers blowout loss to Utah Jazz

The Pacers got smacked on Monday night

The Indiana Pacers were crushed by the Utah Jazz on Monday night. It was a 27-point defeat for the blue and gold, the second-biggest margin of the year. They were dealing with key injuries, but that played only a small part in the loss. They didn't have a good outing even with their available resources.

Utah's size was a challenge for the Pacers, as was their red-hot shooting (44% from three) night. Indiana's defense wasn't good enough and played a factor in the Jazz having an efficient outing, but the home team did well to take advantage of their opportunities.

"It's about the defensive end and making a stand... once we get stops and rebounds, we can play a free flowing offense, which we do well," Indiana assistant coach Mike Weinar said during an interview at halftime on the Bally Sports Indiana broadcast of the game. His team never got going on defense or offense in their second-straight loss.

The Pacers didn't have a single player reach 15 points in the defeat. They needed someone to step up, yet it didn't happen. Their balance has been a strength of late, but it let them down on Monday.

That is one takeaway from the game, but there are some bigger — literally — ones for the blue and gold to take a look at before they hit the hardwood again.

Utah's size was difficult for Indiana to handle

The Jazz started Lauri Markkanen, Simone Fontecchio, and John Collins in the frontcourt last night. The Pacers, meanwhile, were without Aaron Nesmith and Bruce Brown and were dealing with frontcourt foul trouble — both Myles Turner and Jalen Smith finished the night with five fouls.

Add in a back injury to Isaiah Jackson that was bothering him mid game, and suddenly their size disadvantage got out of hand. Andrew Nembhard opened the game on Markkanen, which didn't work, but Indiana had to try to win a small-on-big matchup somewhere. Collins and Fontecchio both had efficient nights, as did Walker Kessler off the bench. Kelly Olynyk made nice plays all evening.

The Pacers were undersized in this one, and they couldn't overcome it with guard play or hot shooting. Instead, the Jazz won the battle on the glass and were more physical throughout the game.

"There's a reason that they're 12-1 in their last 13 games. We've got to meet force with force," Weinar said at halftime of Utah's physicality.

In the end, the Jazz frontcourt starters combined for 50 points. The Pacers were at 38. The rebounding battle between the two groups was 20-12. Utah used their size to their advantage in the win.

Injuries, back-to-backs, and the altitude don't mix well

Indiana played poorly in many ways. 105 points is tied for their fourth-worst number of the season. 31 fouls was their second-highest total this season, and they made the second-fewest shots compared to the rest of their outings this campaign. Even with many hurdles in their way, the Pacers were bad in this game.

They also did have obstacles. They were playing perhaps the hardest back-to-back in the NBA with consecutive days containing outings in the altitude — they battled Denver on Sunday. Tyrese Haliburton was out, as was Brown and Nesmith, so the blue and gold were down three starters.

It was already going to be a challenging game against a hot Jazz team. Those extra difficulties made it harder.

"Starting off games, I don't care if we're back-to-back, I don't care if it's altitude, or any of that stuff. We have to have the right mindset," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said postgame.

The Pacers had to rely more on Ben Sheppard, Jarace Walker, and Jordan Nwora than they normally do. The former two players, who were each first-round picks in 2023, both played a career high in minutes. Two-way contract players Kendall Brown and Oscar Tshiebwe played the entire fourth quarter.

That was all due to the rotational and scheduling challenges the Pacers were facing. They weren't ready for them.

Lottery pick Jarace Walker had his best game yet

Walker was perhaps the lone bright spot for the Pacers. He played for more than 25 minutes for the first time in his career, and he looked excellent at basically everything except for his efficiency.

The rookie forward finished with a career-high in points (tied), rebounds (tied), assists, steals, and blocks. Sure, playing more minutes helped, but setting a best-ever night in every single statistical category is noteworthy. He was a playmaker on both ends of the floor.

His efficiency (3/11) was substandard, and he still made overly jumpy plays on defense. But the signs of growth he showed were clear. He looked more comfortable and was an impact player even during the competitive portion of the game — he first entered the outing with his team down by six points.

That experience is valuable, and the eighth overall pick in last year's draft took advantage. He's had more opportunities in the G League this season, and he is showing how those reps have helped him stay ready and develop in his recent NBA appearances.

The Pacers next hit the court on Thursday when they travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings.

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• Sources: Tyrese Haliburton will be re-evaluated after Indiana Pacers road trip with Grade 1 hamstring strain. CLICK HERE.
• Report: Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors executives chatted 'extensively' at G League Showcase. CLICK HERE.
• James Johnson's contract with the Indiana Pacers is guaranteed for the rest of the 2023-24 season. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers outclassed by Utah Jazz size and physicality for second-straight loss. CLICK HERE.
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