Rick Carlisle should have a sigh of relief as Indiana Pacers break into the winning column again, preventing getting a 14th straight loss that would have made this season just got worse.
The team recorded their franchise worst 13-game losing streak two days ago when they fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. They were slight underdogs against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday but the players played with huge sense of desperation and managed to get the win, 114-112.
Pascal Siakam led his team in scoring with 30 points and added 14 rebounds and three assists. He also hit the lead-taking lay-up with 11.5 seconds left. The victory was sealed when the Hornets failed to capitalize in the next possession and Ben Sheppard hit one of the two free throws after getting fouled.
Spins. Scores. AND-1!
Pascal Siakam tonight: 28 PTS, 14 REB
2-point game with under 2 minutes to go 🍿
Tap to watch the finish: : https://t.co/FmK9qVp8s7 pic.twitter.com/HPWjqdiyai
— NBA (@NBA) January 9, 2026
Carlisle commended his team for always showing up to fight, not just in this game, despite the difficult circumstances they were in.
“I’m so happy for our players,” Carlisle told reporters post-game.
“The last month has really been so challenging in so many ways, but we have an amazing group of guys who continue to fight through thick and thin. … This whole period has been tantalizing. You get ahead and you fall behind and it’s really difficult.”
He also singled out Siakam for his heroics and overall dedication to the team.
Pascal Siakam is amazing.
vote to send Pascal to the #NBAAllStar Game ⭐️ https://t.co/T6jmxAY3iX pic.twitter.com/pYbh8IDbxv
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 9, 2026
Rick Carlisle reacts to milestone
The win prevented Pacers from stretching their losing streak and at the same time gave Carlisle his 1000th win as a coach.
He is only the 11th coach to reach this milestone. He paid tribute to the other 10 who got to the milestone first.
“I’m pretty sure all the guys on the list are guys I know well,” Carlisle said. “I came in as a head coach in 2001 when a lot of those guys were still coaching and I coached against a lot of them for so many years. I have such great respect for all of them.”
Carlisle had his first head coach job with the Detroit Pistons in 2001 and has had only three teams so far. He had two stints with the Dallas Mavericks and on his second with the Pacers.
He won the Coach of the Year in 2022, his second year with Indiana.
Pacers will try to have a rare back to back win when they host the Miami Heat on Saturday.
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