A dramatic shift unfolds as the Pacers erase a 19-point cushion and clinch a 116-105 victory over the Kings.
INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Nembhard carpeted the stat sheet with 28 points and 12 assists, guiding the Pacers to a win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after letting a sizable lead slip away. Indiana has now won four of its last six, improving to 6-18, while Sacramento fell to 6-18.
Bennedict Mathurin contributed 25 points, Pascal Siakam added 23, and Jarace Walker chipped in 12. For the Kings, Russell Westbrook totaled 24 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists, and DeMar DeRozan added 20.
Here are three key takeaways.
Big three lift Pacers, spark late surge
The Pacers are increasingly getting meaningful contributions from their supporting cast, aided by roster stability and fewer injuries of late. Yet the margin for error has shrunk as they lean more on a star trio—Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard—to carry bigger offensive loads.
On Monday, all three eclipsed 20 points and delivered timely baskets, first to build a 19-point lead and then to stabilize the game after Sidney’s late push. Siakam, Mathurin and Nembhard combined for 76 of the Pacers’ 116 points, and they were especially productive in crunch time, scoring 17 of the team’s 24 fourth-quarter points. Nembhard tallied 12 points in the final period on 4-of-7 shooting, including two 3-pointers and a driving layup during an 11-0 burst that pushed the Pacers ahead 108-101 after Sacramento had closed within 101-97 with 5:59 remaining. Mathurin capped that sequence with a transition 3 that put Indiana in front for good.
Nembhard finished with 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, plus 12 assists and two made threes. Mathurin had 25 on 7-of-14 shooting, four makes from beyond the arc, and six rebounds. Siakam contributed 23 on 10-of-21 shooting with five boards and four assists.
Walker answers the challenge after benching
After a disappointing effort in Friday’s win over the Bulls, coach Rick Carlisle didn’t hesitate to sit Jarace Walker early in the game. Walker logged only 7:48 in the first half, was briefly pulled for a defensive miscue, and didn’t re-enter until late in the game when Indiana still held control.
Asked pregame about Walker’s readiness, Carlisle said simply, “He’ll be ready.”
He was. With the second unit struggling in the second half, Walker provided crucial boards and timely scoring, finishing with 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting (including 2-of-4 from deep), three rebounds and a plus-minus of +3 over 18:26 of play.
Mathews makes his case
With the NBA Cup knockout rounds looming and a three-day break on the horizon, Monday marked the final game of Garrison Mathews’ 10-day hardship contract, which expires Thursday. The Pacers could pursue another hardship exception, but Mathews cannot sign a third 10-day deal. They could still keep him by waiving another player. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who earned a non-guaranteed deal after two 10-days, could be waived instead, but Mathews must prove his value.
Mathews helped his cause by scoring seven points on 2-of-7 shooting. He opened the game with a 3-pointer and drew a flagrant foul on a closeout, earning a bucket and two chances at charity stripe for one successful free throw, helping spark an early six-point swing that established Indiana’s control. Nembhard converted a floater during that possession sequence, contributing to the Pacers’ momentum.
Mathews didn’t score in the second half but finished with a +7 in his minutes. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl didn’t see floor time, continuing a stretch of limited involvement.
Ethan Thompson, signed to a two-way contract just last Sunday, drew his first start and delivered a similar contribution to Mathews. He knocked down two 3-pointers and totaled six points, while chasing down several crucial loose balls and grabbing five rebounds, including key ones late.
Dustin Dopirak
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