In a matchup between two of the league's most injury-plagued rosters, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Washington Wizards 119-86 on Friday night in Emirates NBA Cup play. The decisive victory marked a crucial win for Indiana, who snapped a three-game losing streak while Washington continued their season-long struggles.
A Dominant Performance from Start to Finish
The Pacers controlled the game from the opening tip, establishing an early 30-24 lead in the first quarter and never relinquishing their advantage. By halftime, Indiana had built a commanding 64-52 lead, with
Pascal Siakam leading the charge with 17 points, six rebounds, and two steals in just the first half.
Siakam finished as the game's leading scorer with
24 points and 11 rebounds, showcasing the kind of two-way dominance the Pacers desperately need as they navigate a season without star guard Tyrese Haliburton. The All-Star forward's performance was complemented by
Bennedict Mathurin's 20 points, while
T.J. McConnell orchestrated the offense with 14 points and eight assists.
Two Teams Fighting for Relevance
Both squads entered the contest with dismal records, sitting at 1-3 in NBA Cup play and representing the bottom tier of the league's standings. The Wizards, now at
2-16 on the season, have been ravaged by injuries and inconsistency, though they did show signs of life earlier in the week by snapping a 14-game losing streak with a 132-113 victory over Atlanta.
For Washington,
Alex Sarr provided a spark with 24 points and eight rebounds, but it proved insufficient against Indiana's balanced attack. The Wizards' offensive struggles were evident throughout, as they managed just 86 points against a Pacers defense that has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season.
The Haliburton Factor
Indiana's season has been derailed by the devastating Achilles injury suffered by Tyrese Haliburton during the NBA Finals loss to Oklahoma City. Without their franchise cornerstone, the Pacers have plummeted in the standings, but performances like Friday's suggest the supporting cast can still compete on any given night.
The Pacers improved to
3-16 with the victory and will look to build momentum as they host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, while the Wizards prepare to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
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1.
CBS Sports - Pacers beat Wizards 119-862.
NBA on YouTube - Wizards at Pacers Highlights3.
NBC Sports - NBA Game Coverage
Sources
1. Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers Live Score and Stats
2. WIZARDS at PACERS | EMIRATES NBA CUP | November 28, 2025
3. Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers | NBA on NBC | 11/28/25
4. Indiana Pacers vs Washington Wizards Full Game Highlights
5. Pacers vs Wizards scores & predictions - Sofascore
6. Washington Wizards v Indiana Pacers 29/11/2025 - Flashscore
