Pacers Snap 8-Game Skid, Beat Hornets 127-118

Indiana Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin tallied 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead his team to a 127-118 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night in Indianapolis, snapping an eight-game losing streak for the struggling squad.

The win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse improved the Pacers' record to 2-13, still marking the worst start in franchise history after dropping 12 of their first 13 games. Indiana pulled ahead decisively in the second quarter, outscoring Charlotte 11-2 to close the half and build a 70-54 lead. Mathurin, who had missed 10 games with a right big toe sprain before returning on Monday, contributed nine of those final 11 points in the period, showcasing his scoring prowess with efficient shooting.

The Pacers' offense clicked throughout, with six players reaching double figures. Forward Pascal Siakam added 22 points and seven assists, while backup center Jay Huff delivered a standout performance with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-9 from three-point range. Huff also recorded five rebounds, four assists and three blocks, providing rim protection and floor spacing in a game where Indiana connected on 16 of 38 attempts from beyond the arc. Guard...