In a contested encounter, it was the newly signed Moses Brown who stood out first. The interior journeyman signs the first eight points of the Pacersall under the hoop. Malcolm Brogdon breathes new life into Wizards with a 3-point stepback, then it's Alexandre Sarr who catches a missed shot from his leader to get Washington back on track. The Frenchman is then countered by Brown and the Pacers counterattack with Obi Toppin at the conclusion. Kyle Kuzma finds the target up close, imitated by rookie Kyshawn George, from afar. No time to breathe since Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker stand out from 3-point range and Indiana is in front (31 – 28).
Sarr takes advantage of his size in the Wizards' attack to find Anthony Gill at 3-points. The latter then found Corey Kispert behind the arc and Kuzma made good efforts at mid-distance first, then near the hoop with a duel won against Siakam. The two teams go blow for blow and Myles Turner, at the head of the racket, gives the Pacers a small lead (49 – 48).
Better in his basketball, Haliburton lets his vision speak and finds Siakam in the middle of the cut with a blind pass, before Brogdon responds with a “drive” into the Indiana defense. Sarr remains focused and is at the conclusion of a counter-attack, although poorly launched by the Wizards, and Washington regains the lead by two units at half-time (59 – 57).
Haliburton goes up in flames
The Frenchman remains active during the restart and Brogdon finds his rookie in full swing. Mathurin revives the Pacers using the board at mid-distance, before Haliburton catches fire. The double “All Star” scores four long-range shots, Indiana's Gainbridge Fieldhouse regains its voice and the momentum leans in favor of the Pacers. Bilal Coulibaly finally shines and shoots for the second time behind the arc, but Indiana offers a small gap of six points with Turner who crushes a powerful “dunk” in the opposing defense. With a five-point lead (92 – 87), the locals have control of the match.
TJ McConnell's usual hyperactivity allows the Pacers to consolidate their lead. The replacement leader finds the crosshairs twice from mid-distance, then pierces the Wizards defense again to find Brown. The Wizards are valiant, and George then “Bub” Carrington at 3-points tightens the noose by only two points. But the ball circulates better on the Indiana side and Siakam, found twice at the head of the racket, shines from afar. The Pacers inflict a run 7 to 2 and Sarr's good efforts behind the arc did not prevent the Pacers from calmly ending the meeting. Mathurin offers himself a “windmill” on the counterattack and Indiana ends up impose oneself 115 to 103. After three losses in a row, Indiana revives and Washington returns to the locker room with his head down for the 11th time in a row.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Alternate custody for Haliburton and Siakam. With the leader's 21 points and the interior's 22 points, the two strong men of the Pacers caught fire alternately. Haliburton's four long shots in the 3rd quarter, followed by Siakam's two shots from behind the arc in the final act, ended up knocking out the Wizards.
A record for Alexandre Sarr! Third best offensive match of the season for Alexandre Sarr (17 points at 46%). By grabbing 14 rebounds (including 11 defensive), the Frenchman even set a career record. Bilal Coulibaly also stood out with 17 points at 4/9, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
11th defeat in a row for the Wizards. Five defeats short of the franchise record (16 defeats in a row, last season), the Wizards will have to try to avoid a sad new record despite a tough schedule to come: Bulls, Clippers, Bucks, Cleveland then Dallas. Washington (2v – 13d) is dead last in the East, and even in the NBA.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
