NBA: Pacers require late scoring spree to down Wizards

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) drives on Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Pascal Siakam scored four of his game-high 24 points to jump-start a late-game run that powered the Indiana Pacers past the Washington Wizards 104-98 on Tuesday in the NBA for their fifth win in a row.

A sluggish start left the Pacers (48-31) playing from behind much of the way against the last-place Wizards (17-62). However, after Indiana chipped away at a third-quarter deficit that reached 16 points, the teams were tied six times and there were seven lead changes in the fourth period.

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With 2:46 to go, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton found Siakam for a score at the rim to level the score at 92-92. Siakam broke the stalemate on the following possession with another layup.

The Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner followed Siakam’s two scores with 3-pointers, bookending a Bub Carrington jumper, to give the hosts a six-point lead.

Indiana closed out the game outscoring Washington 14-6. The crucial 3-pointers from Nesmith and Turner provided the Pacers with welcome relief on an otherwise dismal shooting night, with Indiana going just 9-for-35 (25.7 percent) from beyond the arc on the night.

Turner missed his first six long-distance attempts before the late-game connection, but his 3-point shooting woes did not prevent him from finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds. In addition, his five blocked shots help set the tone on defense.

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The Pacers limited the Wizards to 38-of-90 (41.8 percent) shooting from the floor, including 11-for-39 (28.2 percent) from long distance.

Indiana’s defense tightened up on Alex Sarr after the Washington rookie erupted for 16 first-quarter points. He managed just four points in the other three quarters combined, and he contributed 12 rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots.

Washington’s Justin Champagnie added 20 points and a game-high 13 boards. Jordan Poole put up 19 points, and Carrington had 13 as the Wizards lost for the sixth time in seven games.

Siakam recorded a double-double for Indiana, corralling 10 rebounds. Haliburton scored 22 points and dished six assists.

Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin provided scoring pop off the Indiana bench with 17 and 12 points, respectively. The Pacers’ reserves outscored the Wizards’ 33-17. –Field Level Media