Wizards Clamp Down in Indiana: Defense, Rebounding, and a Slower Pace Deliver Rare Win
For a team that’s spent much of the season on the wrong end of the scoreboard, the Washington Wizards delivered a performance in Indiana that felt like a blueprint - or at least a spark. They walked into Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a clear defensive identity, executed it with discipline, and left with a convincing 19-point win. That’s just their fourth victory in 24 games, but it might be their most complete showing yet.
A Defensive Game Plan That Actually Worked
Let’s start with the strategy. Washington made it clear from the jump: pack the paint, swarm Pascal Siakam, and force the Pacers to beat them from the perimeter.
The Wizards doubled - even tripled - Siakam on his drives, and clogged the lane so thoroughly that on some possessions, all five defenders had a foot in the paint. That kind of commitment to a scheme is rare for a team still figuring itself out, but Washington stuck with it.
And it paid off. The Pacers - already struggling without Tyrese Haliburton and missing key pieces like Myles Turner - couldn’t buy a bucket.
Indiana shot just 25.6% from deep and finished with an effective field goal percentage of 42.9%, their sixth-worst shooting night of the season. Siakam, the focal point of Washington’s defensive pressure, was held to just 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
He got to the line only three times and added four rebounds and four assists - a quiet night for a player who’s used to shouldering much more of the load.
Winning Ugly - and Owning the Glass
This wasn’t a pretty offensive game for either side, but the Wizards didn’t need it to be. They outscored Indiana in the paint 50-38, won the overall rebounding battle 56-41, and dominated the offensive glass 17-11. That physicality - something Washington has lacked for much of the season - gave them second chances and kept Indiana from ever finding a rhythm.
A big part of that rebounding edge came from two names that fans have been waiting to see get more run: Marvin Bagley III and Justin Champagnie. Bagley was a force, racking up 23 points on 14 shots, pulling down 14 rebounds (including nine on the offensive end), and playing engaged, communicative defense.
Champagnie added 14 boards of his own - three offensive, 11 defensive - and continues to make a case for a permanent spot in the starting lineup. He’s thriving with extended minutes, and it’s hard to argue he hasn’t earned them.
Slowing It Down - And Speeding Up the Growth
One of the most interesting wrinkles in this win? The pace.
Washington played at their slowest tempo of the season - just 91 possessions - and it worked. Slowing things down allowed the defense to get set, limited transition opportunities for Indiana, and helped the Wizards control the flow of the game.
It’s no coincidence that their best defensive performance of the year came in their slowest-paced game.
The offense wasn’t explosive, but it was efficient. Washington posted a 119 offensive rating, thanks largely to their work on the boards and a low turnover rate (12.1%). They only had 19 assists - tied for their third-lowest total of the season - but got solid playmaking from Kyshawn George (9 assists) and Bub Carrington (5 assists), even if their shooting numbers weren’t eye-popping.
And then there’s Tre Johnson, who continues to show flashes of what he could become. He knocked down 3-of-4 from deep, including a tough, fading three that had shades of Reggie Miller. It’s early, but the shooting touch is real.
Four Factors Breakdown
Let’s look at the core metrics that typically decide games - the “Four Factors”:
| Factor | Wizards | Pacers | League Avg |
|---|
| eFG% | 51.7% | 42.9% | 54.5% | | OREB% | 36.2% | 22.0% | 26.2% |
| TOV% | 12.1% | 8.8% | 13.0% | | FTM/FGA | 0.180 | 0.202 | 0.219 |
The Wizards didn’t shoot the lights out, but they crushed Indiana on the glass and stayed disciplined with the ball. That rebounding edge - especially on the offensive end - was the difference-maker.
Player Production: Who Shined
A deeper dive into the advanced metrics tells the same story. Marvin Bagley III led the way with a game-high PPA (Player Production Average) of 233 - a massive number that reflects his efficient scoring, relentless rebounding, and overall impact.
Tre Johnson’s PPA of 366 came in a smaller sample, but it’s clear he made the most of his minutes. Champagnie wasn’t far behind with a 175 PPA and a game-best +23 plus-minus.
Meanwhile, the Pacers struggled across the board. Siakam’s PPA was just 42, and several other key contributors posted negative +PTS scores - a sign that Indiana’s offensive inefficiency wasn’t just about missed shots, but also about failing to generate high-value opportunities.
Final Thoughts
This was a night where the Wizards didn’t just win - they imposed their will. They had a plan, they stuck to it, and they executed with a level of discipline that’s been missing far too often. Sure, Indiana was shorthanded and cold from the outside, but that doesn’t take away from what Washington accomplished.
There’s no guarantee this approach will translate against better shooting teams, but it’s a step in the right direction. For a young team trying to build identity, effort and execution like this matter - and if Bagley and Champagnie keep playing like this, the Wizards might just have something to build on.