The Sacramento Kings secured a thrilling 114-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at the Golden 1 Center, fueled by Devin Carter’s remarkable fourth-quarter performance. Both teams entered the game with struggling records and injury woes, but it was Carter’s breakout scoring surge that allowed Sacramento to complete a dramatic comeback and earn consecutive wins for the first time in nearly two months. The Kings, now 16-50, relied on Carter’s 22 fourth-quarter points to overturn a deficit and withstand a tough challenge from Indiana.
Early Struggles and Indiana’s First-Half Control
From the outset, Sacramento found itself trailing against the Pacers, who held the second-worst record in the NBA this season. The Kings’ offense struggled notably from beyond the arc, converting just 2 of 13 three-point attempts (15%) in the first half. Although Sacramento managed to score 30 of its 42 first-half points in the paint, Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith dominated early, pouring in 24 points in the opening two quarters to help Indiana build a substantial 17-point lead at halftime.
Nesmith was nearly unstoppable from the foul line, where Indiana converted 13 of 14 attempts (93%) in the first half. The Pacers took advantage of 10 fouls committed by the Kings’ defense in the opening 24 minutes. Their offense capitalized on these opportunities and led by as much as 20 points in the third quarter, putting Sacramento in a deep hole that few expected them to climb out of.
Devin Carter’s Explosive Fourth Quarter Sparks Rally
Sacramento’s fortunes shifted dramatically in the second half, thanks largely to their bench players and Devin Carter’s electrifying entry into the game. After remaining on the sidelines for the entire first half, Carter came in during the third quarter and quickly became the central figure on offense. The 23-year-old Providence guard, selected 13th in the 2024 NBA Draft, scored 22 of his game-high 24 points in the final quarter alone, sparking a 19-4 run alongside Killian Hayes and Daeqwon Plowden.
In just 16 minutes of playing time, Carter attacked off the dribble, hit three out of four three-point shots, and contributed five rebounds, three assists, and one steal. His scoring outburst helped Sacramento erase a 12-point deficit, allowing the Kings to outscore Indiana 42-27 in the fourth quarter and secure the comeback win. Carter’s 22 points in a single period not only exceeded the entire Pacers team’s fourth-quarter total but also marked the first time a Kings player scored 22 or more points in one quarter since Keegan Murray’s 26 points in 2023.
Near the game’s conclusion, Carter suffered a shin injury but remained optimistic about his availability for the Kings’ upcoming game.
Historic Performance Joins Elite Company in Kings History
Carter’s remarkable fourth-quarter performance placed him among an exclusive group of Kings players to score 20 or more points in a single quarter since the 1996-97 season began. He joins notable names such as DeMar DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox (six times), Isaiah Thomas (twice), Buddy Hield, Skal Labissiere, Kevin Martin, Mitch Richmond, John Salmons, and Peja Stojakovic in this achievement. Despite limited minutes throughout the season, Carter proved capable of making a significant impact when called upon, hinting at his untapped potential moving forward.
In addition to Carter’s breakout night, rookie center Maxime Raynaud recorded his 15th double-double of the season, becoming only the 14th rookie in franchise history to do so, and the first to reach this milestone since Marvin Bagley III in 2018-19. Raynaud contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 8-of-15 from the floor in 33 minutes.
Implications for NBA Draft Lottery Positions
Tuesday’s matchup carried added significance due to the teams’ league standings. Both Sacramento and Indiana held the two worst records in the NBA, each with a 52.1% chance of landing a top-four pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. They also shared a 14.0% chance of earning the top overall pick in May’s draft lottery. Since the NBA updated its lottery odds system in 2019, no team finishing with the league’s worst record has won the top pick, while teams finishing second or third worst have moved up twice each to secure the first pick.
This statistical trend creates an unusual incentive dynamic, where teams might not necessarily benefit from holding the league’s absolute worst record. With both the Kings and Pacers vying to avoid finishing last, the implications of Tuesday’s result could impact draft positioning and future team-building strategies.
Current Injury Status Affecting Kings Roster
Sacramento continues to grapple with significant injuries affecting several players. Guard Malik Monk exited the game in the second quarter due to a right ankle issue; an update on his condition is expected soon. Forward Keegan Murray will be re-evaluated next week following a mild left ankle sprain suffered on February 25th, while center Dylan Cardwell is scheduled for reassessment in two weeks after a left ankle sprain.
Several key contributors are out for the season, including guard Zach LaVine, recovering from left fifth finger tendon repair; forward De’Andre Hunter, undergoing a left eye retinal repair; and center Domantas Sabonis, sidelined with left knee meniscus surgery. These absences have forced the Kings to rely on younger players and bench options, highlighting the importance of performances like Carter’s in sustaining the team’s competitiveness late in the season.
Looking Ahead: Kings’ Upcoming Schedule and Home Stand
The Kings will conclude their five-game home stand on Wednesday night against the Charlotte Hornets at Golden 1 Center. Fans can follow the game’s pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT, leading up to a 7:00 PM tip-off. Sacramento’s schedule continues with an away game against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 14th, a home match versus the Utah Jazz on March 15th, followed by home contests against the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers later in March.
These upcoming games present critical opportunities for the Kings to build on recent momentum and evaluate the contributions of players like Carter as they look toward the season’s final stretch and preserving favorable draft lottery positioning.
keep goin, 22 🫡 pic.twitter.com/LiH57ZITCN
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 11, 2026
Kam Jones comes up with the loose ball and Aaron Nesmith gets a tough bucket 💪 pic.twitter.com/jvyeXkHWo5
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 11, 2026
DEVIN CARTER BANGGGG 👌 pic.twitter.com/yZzm2UA4bv
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 11, 2026
