(Charlotte, NC) – The Indiana Pacers finally stopped the bleeding Thursday night.
Indiana snapped a 13-game losing streak with a 114-112 win over the Charlotte Hornets, sealing it in the final seconds after trailing late in the fourth quarter.
Pascal Siakam carried the Pacers with 30 points and 14 rebounds, scoring on a driving layup with 11.5 seconds left to give Indiana the lead for good. The Pacers closed the game on a five-point run in the final minute.
T.J. McConnell provided a major spark off the bench, finishing with 23 points as Indiana leaned heavily on its second unit to stay within striking distance.
The win also marked a major career milestone for head coach Rick Carlisle, who earned the 1,000th victory of his NBA coaching career. Carlisle downplayed the individual achievement afterward, crediting the players and the many people around him throughout his career.
Charlotte nearly spoiled the night behind a strong performance from LaMelo Ball, who scored 33 points and hit seven three-pointers after coming off the bench. The Hornets had a chance to tie or win on the final possession, but the last shot did not fall.
Indiana now returns home, where the Pacers will host the Miami Heat on Saturday, hoping the long-awaited win becomes a turning point rather than a temporary relief.