Pacers Defeat Wizards 119-86 to End Skid

The Indiana Pacers defeated the Washington Wizards 119-86 on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, ending a three-game losing streak in an NBA Cup group stage matchup between two of the Eastern Conference's struggling teams.

Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Bennedict Mathurin contributed 20 points in his return from injury. T.J. McConnell added 14 points and eight assists, helping Indiana build a commanding lead early. The Pacers held a 64-52 advantage at halftime behind Siakam's 17 points, six rebounds and two steals in the opening half, then extended it to 94-83 after three quarters before pulling away in the fourth.

Alex Sarr paced the Wizards with 24 points and eight rebounds, but Washington struggled to keep pace. The loss dropped the Wizards to 2-16 overall and 1-3 in NBA Cup play, swapping places with Indiana for last in the East. The Wizards had entered the game with momentum from Tuesday's 132-113 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, their second win of the season and first in NBA Cup action, which snapped a 14-game skid.

Both teams have faced significant challenges this season. The Pacers, now 3-16 overall, have been...