In a thrilling showdown at the nation's capital, the Washington Wizards managed to fend off the Indiana Pacers with a 112-105 victory on Thursday night. Bub Carrington and Anthony Gill were pivotal, each contributing 13 points and fueling a crucial fourth-quarter surge that helped the Wizards break a three-game losing streak.
On a night when Washington announced that Trae Young's debut is still a week away, other players stepped up to fill the void. Kadary Richmond and Jaden Hardy matched Carrington and Gill's output with 13 points apiece. Meanwhile, Bilal Coulibaly and Tristan Vukcevic added 12 points each, demonstrating the depth and balance of the Wizards' roster.
The Pacers, in the midst of a challenging six-game road trip, were led by Jarace Walker, who put up an impressive double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Taelon Peter added 16 points, but it wasn't enough to keep Indiana from slipping a game behind Washington in the Eastern Conference standings. Jay Huff and Ben Sheppard also reached double figures with 15 points each.
Indiana faced additional challenges as guards Kam Jones and Aaron Nesmith were forced to leave the game by halftime due to injuries. Despite trailing by 17 early in the third quarter, the Pacers mounted a spirited comeback, taking a brief 92-91 lead early in the fourth.
However, Washington responded emphatically with a 14-0 run that effectively sealed the game. Carrington's sharp shooting, including a 17-foot jumper and a three-pointer, was instrumental during this decisive stretch. Gill bookended the run with a layup and a crucial baseline three-pointer, stretching the lead to 110-97.
Looking ahead, these two teams will face off again in Washington on Friday night, promising another exciting chapter in their back-to-back series.
In terms of shooting, the Pacers went 15-42 from beyond the arc, with Peter leading the way with five three-pointers. The Wizards, on the other hand, hit 11-37 from deep, with Hardy and Carrington each knocking down three.
Assists were plentiful, with Indiana dishing out 23, led by Walker's seven. Washington distributed the ball even more effectively, tallying 29 assists, with Cooper also contributing seven.
As both teams gear up for their next encounter, the Wizards will be looking to build on this victory, while the Pacers will aim to regroup and bounce back.