PASCAL Siakam delivered a double-double performance and scored the go-ahead basket late as Indiana Pacers edged Charlotte Hornets, 114-112, in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Siakam finished with 30 points and 14 rebounds and converted a driving layup with 11.5 seconds remaining to put Indiana ahead for good, snapping a 13-game losing streak and giving head coach Rick Carlisle his 1,000th career NBA victory.
T.J. McConnell contributed 23 points and eight assists, while Aaron Nesmith added 16 points for the Pacers, which were shorthanded with the absence of Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin.
Charlotte had a final opportunity to force overtime or steal the win, but the Hornets were unable to capitalize after Indiana forced a turnover following Siakam’s basket.
Ben Sheppard split a pair of free throws, leaving Charlotte with eight seconds to respond, but Collin Sexton’s jumper fell short and the Hornets failed to secure the offensive rebound.
LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 33 points, including seven three-pointers, and eight assists despite coming off the bench. Brandon Miller was ejected midway through the third quarter following an argument with officials. He ended the game with six points.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle had a near triple-double performance to lead Minnesota Timberwolves (25-13) to a 131-122 victory over Cleveland Cavaliers (21-18) in Minneapolis.
Randle led the Timberwolves with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, Jaden McDaniels added 26 markers, while Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and Rudy Gobert had 25, 22, and 11, respectively.
Donovan Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 30 points, Sam Merrill added 22 markers, while Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, DeAndre Hunter, and Jarrett Allen had 19, 16, 14, and 11, respectively.
In other results, Portland Trail Blazers prevailed over Houston Rockets, 103-102, Golden State Warriors edged Milwaukee Bucks, 120-113, and San Antonio Spurs upended Los Angeles Lakers, 107-91./PN
