Sports
T.J. Warren Erupts for 53 Points as Pacers Beat 76ers
Kim Klement/Associated PressT.J. Warren scored 53 points on 20-of-29 shooting (9-of-12 from three-point range) and led the short-handed Indiana Pacers to a 127-121 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.Bleacher Report @BleacherReportTJ Warren had a career night vs. Philly 🔥 53 PTS 20-29 FG 9-12 3 PT https://t.co/KRNlUSAcu1The player who the Phoenix Suns traded for…
Kim Klement/Associated Press
T.J. Warren scored 53 points on 20-of-29 shooting (9-of-12 from three-point range) and led the short-handed Indiana Pacers to a 127-121 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
TJ Warren had a career night vs. Philly 🔥
53 PTS
20-29 FG
9-12 3 PT https://t.co/KRNlUSAcu1
The player who the Phoenix Suns traded for cash considerations last offseason faced a tall task entering the day.
The Pacers were without All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis (plantar fasciitis) and point guard Malcolm Brogdon (cervical strain), while the 76ers lineup stood at full strength.
Warren, the team's leading scorer, apparently didn't get the memo, though, as he scored 19 first-quarter points to propel the Pacers to a 35-29 lead after one.
FOX Sports Indiana @FSIndiana
T.J.'s lava-hot first quarter continues as he sneaks around Embiid for the basket. #Pacers
TV: FSI
Stream: FSGO – https://t.co/lcCSFp9tns https://t.co/InyS0E9zHk
Late in the second quarter, the former North Carolina State star hit a pair of three-pointers and a two-pointer during a three-possession stretch. He finished the first half with 29 points.
Warren cooled off in the third with just five points, and the 76ers took a 95-86 lead early in the fourth.
But Warren had other ideas, dropping 19 points in the final 8:03. He had another stretch in which he scored on three straight possessions, hitting a pair of two-pointers and a three early in the fourth.
Then Warren provided his best work late in the quarter, helping Indiana take a lead and maintain it with timely buckets.
After Joel Embiid hit a three-pointer to cut the 76ers' deficit to 121-116, Warren answered with a three-pointer to extend the lead to eight.
FOX Sports Indiana @FSIndiana
5️⃣0️⃣ POINTS! What an unbelievable night for T.J. Warren! #Pacers
TV: FSI
Stream: FSGO – https://t.co/lcCSFp9tns https://t.co/B5UaFIcS3Z
The 76ers stormed back, though, with another Embiid bucket and Tobias Harris three bringing Philadelphia within three.
The Pacers got the ball with 30 seconds left, meaning a 76ers stop would give them a chance to tie the game.
Philadelphia never got that opportunity, as the scorching-hot Warren put the game on ice with another three.
Overtime @overtime
TJ WARREN JUST WENT OFF 😵
53 points
20-29 FG
9-12 3PT(via @NBA)
https://t.co/Lq4yMJBXmt
Warren discussed his performance with Fox Sports Indiana postgame:
FOX Sports Indiana @FSIndiana
T.J. Warren on his 53-point night: “Just doing what I do best — just putting the ball in the hole. I just wanted to lead the team offensively.” @Pacers https://t.co/tyjfCMUwPf
Warren wasn't the only player to put up a ridiculous stat line, with Embiid dropping 41 points, 21 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
Harris also scored 30 points, and Aaron Holiday posted a 15-point, 10-assist outing for the Pacers.
Somehow, Warren dropped 53 despite shooting just four free throws. With that effort, he joined a very short list of players who attempted five or fewer free throws and scored 50 or more in a single game, per StatMuse:
StatMuse @statmuse
Players with 50 points while taking fewer than 5 free throw attempts since 2010:
– Steph Curry
– Klay Thompson
– TJ Warren https://t.co/pqkHcRhZxb
Warren and the Pacers will face the Washington Wizards on Monday at 4 p.m. ET.
He could have another opportunity for another masterful performance, as the Wizards are 29th in the NBA in defensive efficiency, per ESPN.com.
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