Quenton Jackson

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Andrew Nembhard had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Jarace Walker added a career-high 26 for the Indiana Pacers, who withstood a late rally to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-114 on Friday night in a rematch of last season's NBA Finals.Walker, whose previous high was 21 points, sank four free throws in the final 10 seconds to lift injury-riddled Indiana (11-35), which snapped a three-game skid. Pascal Siakam added 21 points.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points for the NBA-best Thunder, who were also depleted by injuries with Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso among those sidelined. Chet Holmgren added 25 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.It was the second and final meeting this season between the Pacers and Thunder, whose fortunes have diverged since Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton tore an Achilles tendon early in Game 7 of last season's NBA finals. Oklahoma City went on to win its first title and has the league's best record (37-9), although the Thunder have slowed after a 24-1 start.Oklahoma City trailed 113-103 with 2:35 remaining but pulled within 115-114 on a pair of free throws by Gilgeous-Alexander with 7.8 seconds left. After two free throws by Walker, the Thunder's Isaiah Joe missed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds remaining.Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, made 17 of 28 field goals and all 12 free throws, and he scored nine points in the final 2 minutes.The Pacers were missing Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), Obi Toppin (ankle) and Quenton Jackson (ankle).Nembhard scored eight points in the first quarter and eight more in the second. His 3-pointer gave Indiana a 47-30 advantage. But Oklahoma City chipped away with a 23-11 run that featured two 3s by Cason Wallace to get within 58-53 at halftime. Up next Pacers: Visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.Thunder: Host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Jackson exited early on Wednesday and will remain out for this game. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he could return to play against the Hawks on Monday, but for at least this game, Ben Sheppard should see a bump in minutes off the bench.

Jackson exited early from Wednesday's game, which limited him to just six minutes. He has been playing larger reserve role recently, so if he remains out for this game, Ben Sheppard should see a bump in minutes.

Jackson played six minutes off the bench before exiting with a sore right ankle. While his absence won't affect fantasy basketball, it does free up minutes for some of the Pacers' other reserves.

Nembhard was a late scratch for Thursday's win over the Hornets, with Quenton Jackson replacing him in the starting lineup. However, T.J. McConnell benefited the most from Nembhard's absence and should be the preferred streamer if the Pacers play another game without their starting point guard.