Devin Carter scored a career-high 24 points, including 22 in the final quarter, to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 114-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. The win ended Indiana’s losing streak at 10 games and highlighted Carter’s pivotal role in the Kings’ comeback.
Trailing by 20 points in the third quarter, Sacramento turned the game around with Carter knocking down three 3-pointers and scoring 15 points during a 17-5 run. This surge put the Kings ahead 109-103 with under two minutes remaining, shifting momentum firmly in their favor.
Game Details and Key Moments
Indiana closed the gap to 112-109 on a layup by Ben Sheppard with 9.5 seconds left, but Nique Clifford secured the win for Sacramento with two critical free throws. Carter’s shooting efficiency stood out as he completed 9-of-13 field goals and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in just over 16 minutes.
Supporting contributors for the Kings included Maxime Raynaud, who posted a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook nearly reached a double-double, adding 16 points and nine assists. DeMar DeRozan and Clifford each scored 12 points, while Daeqwon Plowden contributed 10.
Indiana’s Efforts and Challenges
Leading Indiana’s offense, Aaron Nesmith scored 29 points, with Obi Toppin adding 17, Kam Jones 14, Jay Huff 12, and Micah Potter 11. Despite these efforts, Indiana fought with a depleted roster missing key starters T.J. McConnell (hamstring), Pascal Siakam (knee), and Andrew Nembhard (back/neck).
Besides injuries impacting Indiana, Sacramento faced their own setback with guard Malik Monk leaving the game in the second quarter due to an ankle injury and not returning.
Game Progression and Dynamics
The Kings initially held the lead in the first quarter, but Indiana rallied on a 6-0 run capped by Potter’s layup to take a 25-24 advantage. The Pacers extended their lead to 42-32 midway through the second quarter and dominated the half with a 59-42 lead following a 3-pointer from Huff and scoring by Nesmith.
Nesmith had an impressive first half with 24 points on 8-for-11 shooting, while Raynaud led Sacramento with 10 points. However, the Kings narrowed the deficit to 82-72 by the end of the third quarter after a 14-4 run, with Drew Eubanks securing the final second with two free throws.
Implications of the Outcome
With this hard-fought victory, Sacramento notched back-to-back wins for the first time since their four-game streak in mid-January. Devin Carter’s outstanding performance not only helped the Kings overcome a large deficit but may also boost confidence for the team as they seek to improve their standing.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s ongoing struggles without key starters demonstrate the challenges ahead as they aim to halt their losing streak and regain competitive momentum in the NBA season.
