In a whirlwind finish that showcased grit, poise and late‑game heroics, the Indiana Pacers erased an 11‑point deficit in the final six minutes to pull out a thrilling 135–131 victory over a depleted Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Behind Pascal Siakam’s 29 points and Bennedict Mathurin’s fourth‑quarter explosion, the Pacers rallied from behind to seize sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Mavericks Missing Stars, Fall Just Short
Dallas — missing its injured All‑Star trio of Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson — fought valiantly, with P.J. Washington Jr. leading the charge with 26 points.
Jaden Hardy contributed 24 off the bench, while Kai Jones chipped in a double‑double (18 points, 11 rebounds). But despite fielding just eight available players, the Mavericks were unable to close out a contest they led for much of the second half, dropping their ninth loss in ten games (33–37).
Pacers Flip the Script Late
Indiana seized momentum early — building an 11‑point halftime cushion — only to see Dallas storm back and hold a four‑point lead midway through the fourth quarter. But in the game’s defining stretch, Mathurin ignited the rally, pouring in 16 of his team‑high 23 points in the final 5:54, including a ten‑point scoring run that swung the pendulum.
With 14.7 seconds remaining and the Pacers trailing 131–130, Siakam delivered the night’s pivotal play: trapping Mavericks guard Max Christie in the corner, ripping away the ball, and igniting a chaotic possession that ended with a wide‑open Andrew Nembhard draining a go‑ahead 3‑pointer.
After forcing a turnover on the Mavericks’ final possession, Indiana iced the win at the free‑throw line.
Statistical Breakdown
Indiana outpaced Dallas in transition opportunities 15‑3, a differential that proved decisive in the frantic closing minutes.
Standout Performances
Pascal Siakam (IND): 29 points on 11‑of‑16 shooting, late steal.
Bennedict Mathurin (IND): 23 points (16 in Q4), 7 rebounds.
Andrew Nembhard (IND): 22 points, 8 assists, clutch 3‑pointer.
P.J. Washington Jr. (DAL): 26 points, Mavericks’ leading scorer.
Jaden Hardy (DAL): 24 points off the bench.
Kai Jones (DAL): 18 points, 11 rebounds.
Tyrese Haliburton sat out for Indiana with a lingering back injury, thrusting Nembhard into the lead‑guard role. Despite the absence, Indiana’s depth and late‑game execution carried the day.
Coach Reactions
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle praised his team’s resilience. “We dug ourselves into a hole, but you saw why this group has belief,” Carlisle said. “When we locked in defensively and trusted one another offensively, we found a way.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd lauded his players’ effort despite the short roster. “We showed toughness. Tonight it just didn’t go our way down the stretch,” Kidd noted. “Credit Indiana for making the plays when it mattered.”
Implications for Playoff Picture
Indiana (39–29) has won four of its last five games and now leads the Milwaukee Bucks by a game for the No. 4 seed in the East — a coveted position that guarantees home‑court advantage in the first round. The Mavericks (33–37), meanwhile, drop closer to the bottom of the Western Conference standings, remaining locked in a brutal fight for playoff positioning amid an extended skid.
Injury and Rotation Notes
- Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson — out (injury).
- Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton — out (back).
Dallas managed to rally despite playing with just eight active players, a testament to their depth but also a stark reminder of how critical their sidelined stars remain.
What’s Next
- Dallas Mavericks (33–37) host the Detroit Pistons (29–39) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT.
- Indiana Pacers (39–29) continue their homestand against the Brooklyn Nets (35–32) on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
As both teams enter pivotal stretches of their respective playoff races, Wednesday night’s contest stands as a microcosm of the season’s drama — showcasing late‑game heroics, strategic gambles, and the razor‑thin margins separating triumph from defeat.