Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers
· National Basketball Association
Bennedict Mathurin sparks Pacers to second victory, 127-118 over Hornets
The Pacers, off to their worst start in franchise history with 12 losses in 13 previous games, pulled away in the second quarter as Mathurin scored nine of his team's last 11 points for a 70-54 halftime lead. Indiana has been without as many as seven players due to injuries, including Mathurin, who returned Monday after missing 10 games with a toe injury.
Pascal Siakam scored 22 points and backup center Jay Huff scored 20 as the Pacers had six players in double digits.
Indiana hit 16 of 38 from beyond the arc while the Hornets were 13 of 45.
Rookie guard Kon Knueppel led the Hornets with 28 points, including five 3s. Miles Bridges scored 25.
The Hornets (4-11) are 1-7 on the road.
The Pacers visit Cleveland on Friday.
Regular Season Series
IND leads series 1-0
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 118 - 127 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 118 - 127 |
| 4th 11.9 |  |
Ben Sheppard defensive rebound | 118 - 127 |
| 4th 13.9 |  |
Kon Knueppel misses 28-foot three point pullup jump shot | 118 - 127 |
| 4th 16.5 | |
Hornets offensive team rebound | 118 - 127 |
Statistics
 CHA |
 IND |
|
|---|---|---|
| 43-107 | FG | 46-85 |
| 40 | Field Goal % | 54 |
| 13-45 | 3PT | 16-38 |
| 29 | Three Point % | 42 |
| 19-22 | FT | 19-23 |
| 86 | Free Throw % | 83 |
| 48 | Rebounds | 43 |
| 22 | Offensive Rebounds | 10 |
| 26 | Defensive Rebounds | 33 |
| 28 | Assists | 32 |
| 7 | Steals | 5 |
| 2 | Blocks | 8 |
| 12 | Turnovers | 15 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 13 | Total Turnovers | 16 |
| 1 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 16 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 21 |
| 13 | Fast Break Points | 21 |
| 54 | Points in Paint | 40 |
| 18 | Fouls | 22 |
| 2 | Largest Lead | 24 |
Indiana Pacers Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Haliburton, G | Out | Jan 27 |
| Obi Toppin, F | Out | Oct 31 |
Charlotte Hornets Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| KJ Simpson, G | Out | Jan 25 |
| Mason Plumlee, C | Out | Dec 31 |
Game Information
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 17,003 · Capacity:
2025-26 Southeast Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Miami |
25 | 22 | .532 | - | W2 |
 Orlando |
23 | 22 | .511 | 1 | L4 |
 Atlanta |
23 | 25 | .479 | 2.5 | W3 |
 Charlotte |
19 | 28 | .404 | 6 | W3 |
 Washington |
10 | 34 | .227 | 13.5 | L9 |
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