Siakam Sparks Injury-Hit Pacers to First Win of the Season

Game recap

Pascal Siakam propelled the injury-ridden Indiana Pacers to their first victory of the season, sinking a decisive late 3 as they defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors 114-109.

Siakam finished with 27 points, five rebounds and three assists, anchoring Indiana’s attack alongside Aaron Nesmith, who poured in a career-high 31 points. Quinton Jackson contributed 25 points, delivering the best scoring night of his professional tenure and helping the team halt a five-game slide.

Indiana trailed 93-104 entering the fourth quarter after Stephen Curry’s early 3s, but the Pacers answered with a 21-5 run to seize control and hand Golden State their third defeat in seven games this season.

Siakam later explained the mindset in crunch time: "We played a strong game. We stayed composed and made it tough for them in those minutes."

With 37 seconds left, Siakam gave Indiana a 112-109 lead on a three-point shot, capping the late surge and punctuating a hard-fought comeback.

Jackson then iced the win with a crucial basket with 5.2 seconds remaining, sealing the result for the Pacers.

Siakam praised Jackson’s contribution, saying, "He played a big role for us. I’m just trying to instill confidence in these players and remind them they have a chance. This is the nature of the league; we capitalized tonight and played with tenacity, avoiding nerves and mistakes."

The Pacers’ win came against a backdrop of a fragile injury picture: Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury last postseason lingered in memory, while Obi Toppin, TJ McConnell, Cam Johnson, Benedict Mathurin, and Andrew Nembard have also dealt with setbacks, underscoring the challenge of building consistency this season.

Coach and players stressed the need for unity and continued fight as the campaign stretches ahead, with Siakam urging patience from fans while trusting the process. The night’s results also featured other dramatic performances across the league, keeping the season unpredictable and entertaining.

LaVine shines as LaVine and DeRozan lift Kings

Zach LaVine poured in 31 points and DeMar DeRozan added 29 as the Sacramento Kings beat the Milwaukee Bucks 135-133 in a high-scoring affair. Dennis Schroder (24) and Domantas Sabonis (24, 13) contributed strong all-around games for their respective squads, highlighting a night full of standout individual efforts. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for Milwaukee, but it wasn’t enough to prevent another loss on a busy schedule.

Elsewhere, Julius Randle put up 30 for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 122-105 win at Charlotte, while Kevin Durant scored 26 for the Houston Rockets in a 128-101 victory over the Boston Celtics. The Rockets have started hot, and the league’s early surprises keep fans guessing about what comes next.

Atlanta’s Trae Young, sidelined for at least four weeks with a knee injury, and Ja Morant’s recent one-game suspension for on-court remarks also colored the night’s headlines, underscoring how injuries and discipline are shaping this season’s drama.