KEY POINTS
- Seven Washington Wizards players scored in double figures during a 112-105 win.
- A decisive 14-0 run in the fourth quarter secured the victory for the home team.
- Jarace Walker led the Pacers with a strong performance of 21 points and 14 rebounds.
The Washington Wizards returned from the All-Star break with a hard-fought 112-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Thursday night’s matchup at Capital One Arena showcased a remarkably balanced offensive effort from the hosts. Seven different Wizards players reached double-digit scoring figures to overwhelm the visiting defense. This collective performance helped the team break a three-game losing streak.
Bub Carrington, Anthony Gill, Jaden Hardy, and Kadary Richmond each contributed 13 points to the winning effort. Tristan Vukcevic and Bilal Coulibaly added 12 points apiece, while Tre Johnson chipped in with 10. The victory came on the same day the team announced star guard Trae Young remains a week away from his debut. Washington utilized its depth to maintain energy throughout the tightly contested Eastern Conference battle.
The game featured significant momentum swings that tested both rosters. Washington built a 17-point lead early in the third quarter before Indiana mounted a fierce comeback. The Pacers utilized a 26-11 surge to claw back into the contest. By early in the fourth quarter, Indiana had taken a narrow 92-91 lead. The visitors capitalized on early exits from Kam Jones and Aaron Nesmith due to injuries.
Washington responded to the pressure with a game-defining 14-0 run late in the final period. Anthony Gill ignited the spurt with a layup and later capped it with a critical baseline three-pointer. Bub Carrington also hit key shots during the run to extend the lead to 13 points. This surge effectively put the game out of reach for the Pacers. Indiana managed an eight-point reply, but two late free throws from Sharife Cooper sealed the result.
Jarace Walker provided a massive bright spot for Indiana despite the loss. He recorded a powerful double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds while adding seven assists. Rookie Taelon Peter reached a career-high 16 points for the Pacers. Jay Huff and Ben Sheppard also reached 15 points each as Indiana fought without All-Star Pascal Siakam. The Pacers fell to 2-3 on their current six-game road trip.
Defensive pressure played a major role in the Wizards’ success on Thursday. Washington forced 23 turnovers, which led to numerous scoring opportunities in transition. Tristan Vukcevic made a significant impact on that end of the floor with five steals. The Wizards’ ability to capitalize on Indiana’s mistakes allowed them to stay ahead during a low-scoring third quarter.
The two teams will not have much time to reflect on this opening result. They are scheduled to face each other again on Friday night in Washington for the second half of a back-to-back set. This rare scheduling gives the Pacers an immediate chance for redemption on the same court. Washington aims to build its first winning streak since the middle of last year.
