Pacers beat Bulls 145-126 behind Pascal Siakam

The Indiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls 145-126 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the United Center, with Pascal Siakam leading all scorers with 25 points in a balanced road win. Indiana set the tone early, moved the ball at a high level, and built enough separation by halftime to stay in control the rest of the night.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Indiana opened quickly and put 39 points on the board in the first 12 minutes, taking a 39-33 lead after one. The Pacers were sharp offensively from the start, while Chicago kept contact by matching enough of the pace in transition and in the half court.

Second Quarter

The game swung more clearly in the second. Indiana outscored Chicago 44-33 in the period and took an 83-66 lead into halftime. That 83-point first half reflected how efficient the Pacers were, especially with their ball movement and perimeter shooting. Chicago still found scoring, but it could not string together enough stops.

Third Quarter

The Pacers continued to press the advantage after the break, winning the third quarter 34-26. That pushed the margin to 117-92 entering the fourth. Indiana stayed organized offensively and continued to create quality looks, while Chicago had a harder time cutting into the deficit.

Fourth Quarter

Chicago won the final quarter 34-28, but the outcome was already largely decided. The Bulls showed some late offensive rhythm, yet Indiana had already built a substantial cushion through the first three quarters and closed out the 19-point victory without major trouble.

Key Performers

Pascal Siakam, Pacers: Siakam led Indiana with 25 points and served as the top scorer in a game where the Pacers got production from multiple spots.

Kam Jones, Pacers: Jones finished as Indiana’s assists leader with seven, helping drive a standout team passing performance.

Kobe Brown, Pacers: Brown led Indiana with eight rebounds as the Pacers kept their offense flowing even without a major edge on the glass.

Guerschon Yabusele, Bulls: Yabusele scored a team-high 20 points for Chicago and provided steady offense in a difficult matchup.

Matas Buzelis, Bulls: Buzelis filled the box score with 17 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, giving Chicago one of its most complete individual lines of the night.

NerdSports Stat: Indiana recorded 49 assists on 58 made field goals, meaning 84.5% of the Pacers’ baskets were assisted in a 145-point game.

Game Analysis

This game was defined by Indiana’s offensive efficiency. The Pacers shot 56.9% from the field, hit 20 of 48 from 3-point range, and finished with 49 assists. Those numbers point to a team that consistently created clean looks and shared the ball well across all four quarters.

Chicago was productive enough offensively to post 126 points on 48.5% shooting, but the Bulls could not slow Indiana’s tempo or execution. The Pacers scored 39 points in the first quarter and 44 more in the second, putting immediate pressure on Chicago’s defense. By the time the third quarter ended, Indiana had already reached 117 points.

Another important detail was Indiana’s shooting balance. The Pacers made 58 total field goals and 20 3-pointers, while also converting 9 of 10 free throws. Chicago actually attempted more free throws and collected more rebounds, but Indiana’s edge in shot-making and playmaking outweighed those areas.

For the Bulls, the biggest issue was not scoring volume but defensive containment. Allowing 83 first-half points and 145 overall left little room for a comeback, even with several solid individual efforts.

Closing Context

The result moved Indiana to 18-58 overall and 7-31 on the road, while Chicago dropped to 29-47 and 18-21 at home. Even late in the season, this was a notable road result for the Pacers, who showed how effective they can be when their offense is connected. For the Bulls, the loss was another missed chance to strengthen their position as the regular season winds down.

Frequently Asked Questions